And down at their convivial board were set; The plans in view to past adventures led, } And the past conflicts present anger bred; } They sigh’d for pleasures gone, they groan’d for heroes dead; } Their ancient stores were rifled—strong desires 470 Awaked, and wine rekindled latent fires. It was a night such bold desires to move: Strong winds and wintry torrents fill’d the grove; The crackling boughs that in the forest fell, The cawing rooks, the cur’s affrighten’d yell, The scenes above the wood, the floods below, } Were mix’d, and none the single sound could know; } “Loud blow the blasts,” they cried, “and call us as they blow. } “In such a night”—and then the heroes told What had been done in better times of old: 480 How they had conquer’d all opposed to them, By force in part, in part by stratagem; And, as the tales inflamed the fiery crew, What had been done they then prepared to do; “’Tis a last night!” they said—the angry blast And roaring floods seem’d answering, “’tis a last!” James knew they met, for he had spies about, Grave, sober men, whom none presumed to doubt; For, if suspected, they had soon been tried Where fears are evidence, and doubts decide. 490 But these escaped——Now James companions took, Sturdy and bold, with terror-stirring look; He had before, by informations led, Left the afflicted partner of his bed; Awaked his men, and through plantations wide, Deep woods, and trackless ling, had been their guide; And then return’d to wake the pitying wife, And hear her tender terrors for his life. But in this night a sure informer came: “They were assembled who attack’d his game; 500 Who more than once had through the park made way, And slain the dappled breed, or vow’d to slay;” The trembling spy had heard the solemn vow, And need and vengeance both inspired them now. The keeper early had retired to rest For brief repose;—sad thoughts his mind possess’d; In his short sleep he started from his bed, And ask’d in fancy’s terror “Is he dead?” There was a call below, when James awoke, Rose from his bed, and arms to aid him took, 510 Not all defensive!—there his helpers stood, Arm’d like himself, and hastening to the wood. “Why this?” he said, for Rachel pour’d her tears Profuse, that spoke involuntary fears: “Sleep, that so early thou for us may’st wake, And we our comforts in return may take; Sleep, and farewell!” he said, and took his way, And the sad wife in neither could obey. She slept not nor well fared, but restless dwelt On her past life, and past afflictions felt; 520 The man she loved the brother and the foe Of him she married!—It had wrought her woe: Not that she loved, but pitied, and that now Was, so she fear’d, infringement of her vow. James too was civil, though she must confess That his was not her kind of happiness;