POLONIA. And bring thee back victorious from the cave.
* * * * *
SCENE VIII.
THE ENTRANCE OF A CONVENT — AT THE END THE CAVE OF PATRICK.
Two Canons Regular; afterwards Luis.
FIRST CANON. See, the waters of the lake
Move although no breeze doth blow:*
Without doubt to-day some pilgrim
Roweth to this island shore.
[footnote] *Single asonante in the long accented o, which is kept up to the end of the Scene.
SECOND CANON. Come unto the strand to see
Who can be so brave and bold
As to seek our gloomy dwelling,
Crossing the dark waters o'er.
[Enter LUIS.
LUIS. Here my boat, my coffin, rather,
On the billows I bestow.
Who his sepulchre has ever
Steered, as I, through fire and snow?
What a pleasant spot is this!
Here has Spring, methinks, invoked
Flowers of high and low degree
To assemble at her court.
But this dismal mountain here,
How unlike the plain below!
Yet they are the better friends
By the contrasts that they show.
there the mournful birds of prey
Hoarsely croak, presaging woe,
Here the warblers in their joy
Charm us with their tuneful notes.
There the torrents leaping headlong
Fright us with their frenzied roar,
Here the crystal streamlets gliding
Mirror back the sun's bright gold.
Half way 'twixt that ugliness
And this beauty, I behold
A plain building whose grave front
Fear and love at once provokes.
FIRST CANON. Happy wanderer, who here
Hast arrived with heart so bold,
Come unto my arms.