And loveliest of them all the maid he led.
Ah, lily cheeks and lips that Beauty fled
At peril’s aspect, colourless were there,
And vows were made at many an altar red
With blood from wounded victims of despair,
And through the Temple rose a wailing voice of prayer.
XXI.
Sudden was heard the appalling cry of—“Fire!”
One moment mortal terror hushed each heart;
The next, outburst a shriek of anguish dire,