Thus while he spake, lights were descried far off Moving among the trees, and coming sounds Were heard as of a distant multitude. Anon a company of horse and foot, Advancing in disorderly array, Came up the vale; before them and beside Their torches flash’d on Sella’s rippling stream; Now gleam’d through chesnut groves, emerging now, O’er their huge boughs and radiated leaves Cast broad and bright a transitory glare. That sight inspired with strength the mountaineers; All sense of weariness, all wish for rest At once were gone; impatient in desire Of second victory alert they stood; And when the hostile symbols, which from far Imagination to their wish had shaped, Vanish’d in nearer vision, high-wrought hope Departing, left the spirit pall’d and blank. No turban’d race, no sons of Africa Were they who now came winding up the vale, As waving wide before their horses’ feet The torch-light floated, with its hovering glare Blackening the incumbent and surrounding night. Helmet and breast-plate glitter’d as they came, And spears erect; and nearer as they drew Were the loose folds of female garments seen On those who led the company. Who then Had stood beside Pelayo, might have heard The beating of his heart. But vainly there Sought he with wistful eye the well-known forms Beloved; and plainly might it now be seen That from some bloody conflict they return’d Victorious, ... for at every saddle-bow A gorey head was hung. Anon they stopt, Levelling in quick alarm their ready spears. Hold! who goes there? cried one. A hundred tongues Sent forth with one accord the glad reply, Friends and Asturians. Onward moved the lights, ... The people knew their Lord. Then what a shout Rung through the valley! From their clay-built nests, Beneath the overbrowing battlements, Now first disturb’d, the affrighted martins flew, And uttering notes of terror short and shrill, Amid the yellow glare and lurid smoke Wheel’d giddily. Then plainly was it shown How well the vassals loved their generous Lord, How like a father the Asturian Prince Was dear. They crowded round; they claspt his knees; They snatch’d his hand; they fell upon his neck, ... They wept; ... they blest Almighty Providence, Which had restored him thus from bondage free; God was with them and their good cause, they said; His hand was here.... His shield was over them, ... His spirit was abroad, ... His power display’d: And pointing to their bloody trophies then, They told Pelayo there he might behold The first-fruits of the harvest they should soon Reap in the field of war! Benignantly, With voice and look and gesture, did the Prince To these warm greetings of tumultuous joy Respond; and sure if at that moment aught Could for awhile have overpower’d those fears Which from the inmost heart o’er all his frame