FREE BOOKS

Author's List




PREV.   NEXT  
|<   226   227   228   229   230   231   232   233   234   235   236   237   238   239   240   241   242   243   244   245   246   247   248   249   250  
251   >>  
ro--Wild Indian Maid--Zarinel--Missionary. The second moon had now begun to wane, Since bold Valdivia left the southern plain; Goal of his labours, Penco's port and bay, Far gleaming to the summer sunset lay. The wayworn veteran, who had slowly passed Through trackless woods, or o'er savannahs vast, With hope impatient sees the city spires Gild the horizon, like ascending fires. Now well-known sounds salute him, as more near The citadel and battlements appear; 10 The approaching trumpets ring at intervals; The trumpet answers from the rampart walls, Where many a maiden casts an anxious eye, Some long-lost object of her love to espy, Or watches, as the evening light illumes The points of lances, or the passing plumes. The grating drawbridge and the portal-arch, Now echo to the long battalion's march; Whilst every eye some friend remembered greets, Amid the gazing crowd that throngs the streets. 20 As bending o'er his mule, amid the throng, Pensive and pale, Anselmo rode along, How sacred, 'mid the noise of arms, appeared His venerable mien and snowy beard! Whilst every heart a silent prayer bestowed, Slow to the convent's massy gate he rode: Around, the brothers, gratulating, stand, And ask for tidings of the southern land. As from the turret tolls the vesper bell, He seeks, a weary man, his evening cell, 30 No sounds of social cheer, no beds of state, Nor gorgeous canopies his coming wait; But o'er a little bread, with folded hands, Thanking the God that gave, a while he stands; Then, while all thoughts of earthly sorrow cease, Upon his pallet lays him down in peace. The scene how different, where the castle-hall Rings to the loud triumphant festival: A hundred torches blaze, and flame aloof, Long quivering shadows streak the vaulted roof,-- 40 Whilst, seen far off, the illumined windows throw A splendour on the shore and seas below. Amid his captains, in imperial state, Beneath a crimson canopy, elate, Valdivia sits--and, striking loud the strings, The wandering ministrel of Valentia sings. For Chili conquered, fill the bowl again! For Chili conquered, raise the heroic strain! Lautaro left the hall of jub
PREV.   NEXT  
|<   226   227   228   229   230   231   232   233   234   235   236   237   238   239   240   241   242   243   244   245   246   247   248   249   250  
251   >>  



Top keywords:

Whilst

 

evening

 
sounds
 

southern

 
conquered
 

Valdivia

 

bestowed

 

prayer

 

brothers

 

stands


convent

 
Thanking
 

folded

 

Around

 
canopies
 
thoughts
 
turret
 

vesper

 

gorgeous

 
tidings

coming
 

social

 

gratulating

 

imperial

 
captains
 
Beneath
 

crimson

 

canopy

 

windows

 

illumined


splendour
 

striking

 

heroic

 

strain

 

Lautaro

 

wandering

 

strings

 

ministrel

 

Valentia

 
silent

castle

 
sorrow
 
pallet
 

triumphant

 

festival

 
streak
 

shadows

 
vaulted
 

quivering

 
torches