Then swore he--and he called the tree whose growth Of past and solemn centuries made it wear An ancient, god-like air, To register his deep and passionate oath. Hate to the last he swore--a wild revenge, Such as no chance can change, Vowed he before those during witnesses, Rocks, waters and old trees. And, in that midnight hour, No sound from nature broke, No sound save that he spoke, No sound from spirits hushed and listening nigh! His was an oath of power-- A prince's pledge for vengeance to his race-- To twice two hundred years of royalty-- That still the unbroken sceptre should have sway, While yet one subject warrior might obey, Or one great soul avenge a realm's disgrace! It was the pledge of vengeance, for long years, Borne by his trampled people as a dower Of bitterness and tears;-- Homes rifled, hopes defeated, feelings torn By a fierce conqueror's scorn; The national gods o'erthrown--treasure and blood, Once boundless as the flood, That 'neath his fixed and unforgiving eye Crept onward silently; Scattered and squandered wantonly, by bands, Leaguered in shame, the scum of foreign lands, Sent forth to lengthen out their infamy, With the wild banquet of a pampered mood. Even as he swore, his eye Grew kindled with a fierce and flaming blight, Red-lowering like the sky, When, heralding the tempest in his might, The muttering clouds march forth and form on high. With sable banners and grim majesty. Beneath his frowning brow a shaft of fire, That told the lurking ire, Shot ever forth, outflashing through the gloom It could not well illume, Making the swarthy cheeks on which it fell Seem trenched with scarred lines of hate and hell. Then heaved his breast with all the deep delight The warrior finds in promise of the fight, Who seeks for vengeance in his victory. For, in the sudden silence in the air, He knew how gracious was the audience there: He heard the wings unfolding at the close, And the soft voice that cheered him once before Now into utterance rose: One whispered word, One parting tone, And then a fragrant flight of wings was heard And she was gone, was gone-- Yet was he not alone! not all alone!