God hath blinded them! He said; the measure of their crimes is full! O Vale of Deva, famous shalt thou be From this day forth for ever; and to these Thy springs shall unborn generations come In pilgrimage, and hallow with their prayers The cradle of their native monarchy! There was a stirring in the air, the sun Prevail’d, and gradually the brightening mist Began to rise and melt. A jutting crag Upon the right projected o’er the stream, Not farther from the cave than a strong hand Expert, with deadly aim, might cast the spear. Or a strong voice, pitch’d to full compass, make Its clear articulation heard distinct. A venturous dalesman, once ascending there To rob the eagle’s nest, had fallen, and hung Among the heather, wonderously preserved: Therefore had he with pious gratitude Placed on that overhanging brow a Cross, Tall as the mast of some light fisher’s skiff, And from the vale conspicuous. As the Moors Advanced, the Chieftain in the van was seen Known by his arms, and from the crag a voice Pronounced his name, ... Alcahman! hoa, look up, Alcahman! As the floating mist drew up, It had divided there, and open’d round The Cross; part clinging to the rock beneath, Hovering and waving part in fleecey folds, A canopy of silver light condensed To shape and substance. In the midst there stood A female form, one hand upon the Cross, The other raised in menacing act; below Loose flow’d her raiment, but her breast was arm’d, And helmeted her head. The Moor turn’d pale, For on the walls of Auria he had seen That well-known figure, and had well believed She rested with the dead. What, hoa! she cried, Alcahman! In the name of all who fell At Auria in the massacre, this hour I summon thee before the throne of God To answer for the innocent blood! This hour, Moor, Miscreant, Murderer, Child of Hell, this hour I summon thee to judgement!... In the name Of God! for Spain and Vengeance! Thus she closed Her speech; for taking from the Primate’s hand That oaken cross which at the sacring rites Had served for crosier, at the cavern’s mouth Pelayo lifted it and gave the word. From voice to voice on either side it pass’d With rapid repetition, ... In the name Of God! for Spain and Vengeance! and forthwith On either side along the whole defile The Asturians shouting in the name of God, Set the whole ruin loose! huge trunks and stones, And loosen’d crags, down down they roll’d with rush And bound, and thundering force. Such was the fall As when some city by the labouring earth Heaved from its strong foundations is cast down, And all its dwellings, towers, and palaces, In one wide desolation prostrated. From end to end of that long strait, the crash Was heard continuous, and commixt with sounds More dreadful, shrieks of horror and despair, And death, ... the wild and agonizing cry