As from a voice, but hollow, faint, and low,

Like human wailings deep in earth enshrined.

Breathless he listened, whence they came to know,

And found them from a cleft, near that rock’s haughty brow.

He swiftly climbed, and gained that fissure high,

Like some air-passage to a hidden cave;

He spoke aloud, and then a sweet reply

Unbounded gladness to his spirit gave:

“Fidelio! ah, I know thou’rt come to save

Thy sad Lenore from this enchanter’s power,