With sword and breast-plate, under rustic weeds Conceal’d, at dusk Pelayo pass’d the gate, Florinda following near, disguised alike. Two peasants on their mules they seem’d, at eve Returning from the town. Not distant far, Alphonso by the appointed orange-grove, With anxious eye and agitated heart, Watch’d for the Prince’s coming. Eagerly At every foot-fall through the gloom he strain’d His sight, nor did he recognize him when The Chieftain thus accompanied drew nigh; And when the expected signal called him on, Doubting this female presence, half in fear Obey’d the call. Pelayo too perceived The boy was not alone; he not for that Delay’d the summons, but lest need should be, Laying hand upon his sword, toward him bent In act soliciting speech, and low of voice Enquired if friend or foe. Forgive me, cried Alphonso, that I did not tell thee this, Full as I was of happiness, before. ’Tis Hoya, servant of my father’s house, Unto whose dutiful care and love, when sent To this vile bondage, I was given in charge. How could I look upon my father’s face If I had in my joy deserted him, Who was to me found faithful?... Right! replied The Prince; and viewing him with silent joy, Blessed the Mother, in his heart he said, Who gave thee birth! but sure of womankind Most blessed she whose hand her happy stars Shall link with thine! and with that thought the form Of Hermesind, his daughter, to his soul Came in her beauty. Soon by devious tracks They turn’d aside. The favouring moon arose, To guide them on their flight through upland paths Remote from frequentage, and dales retired, Forest and mountain glen. Before their feet The fire-flies, swarming in the woodland shade, Sprung up like sparks, and twinkled round their way; The timorous blackbird, starting at their step, Fled from the thicket with shrill note of fear; And far below them in the peopled dell, When all the soothing sounds of eve had ceased, The distant watch-dog’s voice at times was heard, Answering the nearer wolf. All through the night Among the hills they travell’d silently; Till when the stars were setting, at what hour The breath of Heaven is coldest, they beheld Within a lonely grove the expected fire, Where Roderick and his comrade anxiously Look’d for the appointed meeting. Halting there, They from the burthen and the bit relieved Their patient bearers, and around the fire Partook of needful food and grateful rest.