LXXV. Thrice sounds the clarion; lo! the signal falls, Gapes round the silent circle's peopled walls. Here, there, he points his threatening front, to suit His first attack, wide waving to and fro His angry tail; red rolls his eye's dilated glow. LXXVI. Sudden he stops; his eye is fix'd: away, The skill that yet may check his mad career. LXXVII. Again he comes; nor dart nor lance avail, Nor the wild plunging of the tortured horse; Though man and man's avenging arms assail, Vain are his weapons, vainer is his force. One gallant steed is stretch'd a mangled corse; Another, hideous sight! unseam'd appears, His gory chest unveils life's panting source; Though death-struck, still his feeble frame he rears; Staggering, but stemming all, his lord unharm'd he bears. ["The croupe is a particular leap taught in the manège.”. MS.] LXXVIII. Foil'd, bleeding, breathless, furious to the last, And now the Matadores around him play, - sand! 1 LXXIX. Where his vast neck just mingles with the spine, He stops he starts - disdaining to decline : Slowly he falls, amidst triumphant cries, Without a groan, without a struggle dies. The decorated car appears- - on high The corse is piled-sweet sight for vulgar eyes Four steeds that spurn the rein, as swift as shy, Hurl the dark bulk along, scarce seen in dashing by. 2 [The reader will do well to compare Lord Byron's animated picture of the popular "sport" of the Spanish nation, with the very circumstantial details contained in the charming "Letters of Don Leucadio Doblado," (i. e. the Rev. Blanco White) published in 1822. So inveterate was, at one time, the rage of the people for this amusement, that even boys mimicked its features in their play. In the slaughter-house itself the professional bull-fighter gave public lessons; and such was the force of depraved custom, that ladies of the highest rank were not ashamed to appear amidst the filth and horror of the shambles. The Spaniards received this sport from the Moors, among whom it was celebrated with great pomp and splendour. See various Notes to Mr. Lockhart's Collection of Ancient Spanish Ballads. 1822.] 2["The trophy corse is reared-disgusting prize Or, "The corse is reared-sparkling the chariot flies."-MS.] LXXX. Such the ungentle sport that oft invites The Spanish maid, and cheers the Spanish swain. What private feuds the troubled village stain! Though now one phalanx'd host should meet the foe, Enough, alas! in humbler homes remain, To meditate 'gainst friends the secret blow, For some slight cause of wrath, whence life's warm stream must flow. 1 LXXXI. But Jealousy has fled: his bars, his bolts, And all whereat the generous soul revolts, LXXXII. Oh! many a time and oft, had Harold loved, At Santa 1 ["The Spaniards are as revengeful as ever. Otella I heard a young peasant threaten to stab a woman (an old one, to be sure, which mitigates the offence), and was told, on expressing some small surprise, that this ethic was by no means uncommon."- MS.] And lately had he learn'd with truth to deem Love has no gift so grateful as his wings: How fair, how young, how soft soe'er he seem, Full from the fount of Joy's delicious springs Some bitter o'er the flowers its bubbling venom flings. 2 LXXXIII. Yet to the beauteous form he was not blind, E'er deign'd to bend her chastely-awful eyes : LXXXIV. Still he beheld, nor mingled with the throng; To charms as fair as those that soothed his happier day. 1 "Medio de fonte leporum Surgit amari aliquid quod in ipsis floribus angat." -Luc. "Full from the heart of Joy's delicious springs 2 [ “ Some bitter bubbles up, and e'en on roses stings." - MS.] TO INEZ. 1. NAY, smile not at my sullen brow; 2. And dost thou ask what secret woe 3. It is not love, it is not hate, Nor low Ambition's honours lost, That bids me loathe my present state, And fly from all I prized the most: 4. It is that weariness which springs 5. It is that settled, ceaseless gloom |