Roderick, in front of all the assembled troops, Held the broad buckler, following to the end That steady purpose to the which his zeal Had this day wrought the Chiefs. Tall as himself, Erect it stood beside him, and his hands Hung resting on the rim. This was an hour That sweeten’d life, repaid and recompensed All losses; and although it could not heal All griefs, yet laid them for awhile to rest. The active agitating joy that fill’d The vale, that with contagious influence spread Through all the exulting mountaineers, that gave New ardour to all spirits, to all breasts Inspired fresh impulse of excited hope, Moved every tongue, and strengthen’d every limb, ... That joy which every man reflected saw From every face of all the multitude, And heard in every voice, in every sound, Reach’d not the King. Aloof from sympathy, He from the solitude of his own soul Beheld the busy scene. None shared or knew His deep and incommunicable joy; None but that heavenly Father, who alone Beholds the struggles of the heart, alone Sees and rewards the secret sacrifice. Among the chiefs conspicuous, Urban stood, He whom, with well-weigh’d choice, in arduous time To arduous office the consenting Church Had call’d when Sindered fear-smitten fled; Unfaithful shepherd, who for life alone Solicitous, forsook his flock, when most In peril and in suffering they required A pastor’s care. Far off at Rome he dwells In ignominious safety, while the Church Keeps in her annals the deserter’s name, But from the service which with daily zeal Devout her ancient prelacy recalls, Blots it, unworthy to partake her prayers. Urban, to that high station thus being call’d, From whence disanimating fear had driven The former primate, for the general weal Consulting first, removed with timely care The relics and the written works of Saints, Toledo’s choicest treasure, prized beyond All wealth, their living and their dead remains; These to the mountain fastnesses he bore Of unsubdued Cantabria, there deposed, One day to be the boast of yet unbuilt Oviedo, and the dear idolatry Of multitudes unborn. To things of state Then giving thought mature, he held advice With Odoar, whom of counsel competent And firm of heart he knew. What then they plann’d, Time and the course of over-ruled events To earlier act had ripen’d, than their hope Had ever in its gladdest dream proposed; And here by agents unforeseen, and means Beyond the scope of foresight brought about, This day they saw their dearest heart’s desire Accorded them: All-able Providence Thus having ordered all, that Spain this hour With happiest omens, and on surest base, Should from its ruins rear again her throne.