The Sirth Book. Then did I see a pleasant Paradise, Full of sweet flowers and daintiest delights, Made for the gentle squire to entertain SPENSER. RUINS OF TIME. VOL. II. THALABA THE DESTROYER. THE SIXTH BOOK. So from the inmost cavern, Thalaba The spell of sleep had ceas'd, And his broad eyes were glaring on the youth: Now lingering o'er their meal. Oh then, emerging from that dreadful cave, How grateful did the gale of night Salute his freshen'd sense! How full of lightsome joy, Thankful to Heaven, he hastens by the verge Of that bitumen lake, Whose black and heavy fumes, Surge heaving after surge, Roll'd like the billowy and tumultuous sea. The song of many a bird at morn Lo! by his side a courser stood! Of form more faultless never had he seen, More light of limbs and beautiful in strength, Pure and unmingled, from the royal steeds The chosen Arab's eye Glanced o'er his graceful shape, His rich caparisons, His crimson trappings gay. But when he saw the mouth Uncurb'd, the unbridled neck, Then flush'd his cheek, and leapt his heart; For sure he deem'd that Heaven had sent The courser, whom no erring hand should guide. And lo! the eager Steed Throws his head, and paws the ground,. Then up leapt Thalaba, And away went the self-govern'd steed. Far over the plain Away went the bridleless steed; With the dew of the morning his fetlocks were wet, Then on a sheltered bank The appointed Youth repos'd, And by him laid the docile courser down. Again in the grey of the morning. Thalaba bounded up; Over hill, over dale, Away goes the bridleless steed. |