Blencathra from his loftiest peak Had often heard the victims' shriek, When lapp'd by wreathing fire, Their limbs in wicker bondage caged, Dying, the draught and plague assuaged, And calmed the Immortals' ire. There came a Rumour,[7] strayed from far. Helvellyn's bale-fire paled its star: Hoarse Glenderaterra moaned. The dark destroying angel fled: And from Blencathra's topmost head Old demons shrunk dethroned. He saw beneath his rugged brow The temple on the plain below, By sacred Druids trod: Mountains on mountains piled around; Forests of oak with acorns crowned: And distant, man's abode. Where men had hewn by stream and dell An opening in the woods to dwell, The pestilence by night Had fallen amidst their little throng; Had changed, and stricken down the strong; And put the weak to flight. Who may the angry god appease?-- The oracle that all things sees, And knows all laws divine, Spake from the awful forest bower-- "A maiden in her virgin flower Must her young life resign."-- Fallen is the lot on thee, so late Betrothed to love, and now to fate. Sweet Britta!--Forth she fares, Led by the Druids to her doom, Within that circle's ample room, For which the rite prepares. Fire cleanses: she must cleanse by fire. With oaken garland, white attire, Bearing the mistletoe, Beside the wicker hut her feet Pause--till her eyes her lover greet, And cheer him as they go. These two had heard of what had been In Judah--of the Nazarene-- And talked of new things born To them, that in their fathers' place They might not speak of to their race, But thought on eve and morn. Now when the sound is given to pile The branches each one--friends-erewhile, Strangers, yea sisters, sire, And brethren--all from far and near,-- Must furnish for the victim's bier; His they in vain require. No might of Druid, lord, or king, Could move that hand one leaf to bring-- No, though they throng to slay. Calmly beyond the crowd he stood, Holding on high two staves of wood Cross'd--till she turned away. Then hoary Chief, Arch Druid, came Thy hands to minister the flame, Wrought from the quick-rubb'd pine. It touch'd: it leapt: the branches blazed! When to the hills they looked amazed, And owned the wrath divine. Bellowed the mountains, and cast forth Their waters, east, south, west, and north. Rivers and mighty streams Down from their raging sides out-poured Their cataracts, and in thunders roared Along earth's opening seams. They rolled o'er all the temple's bound, Quenching the angry fire around The hut unscathed by flame: Then backward to their source retired. While like a seraph's form inspired The white-robed maiden came.