Thus fervently he spake, and copious tears Ran down his cheeks. Full oft the Royal Goth, Since he came forth again among mankind, Had trembled lest some curious eye should read His lineaments too closely; now he long’d To fall upon the neck of that old man, And give his full heart utterance. But the sense Of duty, by the pride of self-controul Corroborate, made him steadily repress His yearning nature. Whether Roderick live, Paying in penitence the bitter price Of sin, he answered, or if earth hath given Rest to his earthly part, is only known To him and Heaven. Dead is he to the world; And let not these imaginations rob His soul of thy continual prayers, whose aid Too surely, in whatever world, he needs. The faithful love that mitigates his fault, Heavenward addrest, may mitigate his doom. Living or dead, old man, be sure his soul, ... It were unworthy else, ... doth hold with thine Entire communion! Doubt not he relies Firmly on thee, as on a father’s love, Counts on thy offices, and joins with thee In sympathy and fervent act of faith, Though regions, or though worlds, should intervene. Lost as he is, to Roderick this must be Thy first, best, dearest duty; next must be To hold right onward in that noble path, Which he would counsel, could his voice be heard. Now therefore aid me, while I call upon The Leaders and the People, that this day We may acclaim Pelayo for our King. XVIII. THE ACCLAMATION. Now, when from Covadonga, down the vale Holding his way, the princely mountaineer Came with that happy family in sight Of Cangas and his native towers, far off He saw before the gate, in fair array, The assembled land. Broad banners were display’d, And spears were sparkling to the sun, shields shone, And helmets glitter’d, and the blairing horn, With frequent sally of impatient joy, Provoked the echoes round. Well he areeds, From yonder ensigns and augmented force, That Odoar and the Primate from the west Have brought their aid; but wherefore all were thus Instructed as for some great festival, He found not, till Favila’s quicker eye Catching the ready buckler, the glad boy Leapt up, and clapping his exultant hands, Shouted, King! King! my father shall be King This day! Pelayo started at the word, And the first thought which smote him brought a sigh For Roderick’s fall; the second was of hope, Deliverance for his country, for himself Enduring fame, and glory for his line. That high prophetic forethought gather’d strength, As looking to his honour’d mate, he read Her soul’s accordant augury; her eyes Brighten’d; the quicken’d action of the blood Tinged with a deeper hue her glowing cheek, And on her lips there sate a smile which spake The honourable pride of perfect love, Rejoicing, for her husband’s sake, to share The lot he chose, the perils he defied, The lofty fortune which their faith foresaw.