Pale, and in tears, with ashes on his head.

VII.
RODERICK AND PELAYO.

’Twas not in vain that on her absent son,

Pelayo’s mother from the bed of death

Call’d for forgiveness, and in agony

Besought his prayers; all guilty as she was,

Sure he had not been human, if that cry

Had fail’d to pierce him. When he heard the tale

He bless’d the messenger, even while his speech