My Song, encouraged by the grace That beams from his ingenuous face, For this Adventurer scruples not To prophesy a golden lot; 40 Due recompense, and safe return To COMO'S steeps--his happy bourne! Where he, aloft in garden glade, Shall tend, with his own dark-eyed Maid, The towering maize, and prop the twig 45 That ill supports the luscious fig; Or feed his eye in paths sun-proof With purple of the trellis-roof, That through the jealous leaves escapes From Cadenabbia's pendent grapes. 50 --Oh might he tempt that Goatherd-child To share his wanderings! him whose look[522] Even yet my heart can scarcely brook, So touchingly he smiled-- As with a rapture caught from heaven-- 55 For unasked alms in pity given.[523] PART II I With nodding plumes, and lightly drest Like foresters in leaf-green vest, The Helvetian Mountaineers, on ground For Tell's dread archery renowned, 60 Before the target stood--to claim The guerdon of the steadiest aim. Loud was the rifle-gun's report-- A startling thunder quick and short! But, flying through the heights around, 65 Echo prolonged a tell-tale sound Of hearts and hands alike "prepared The treasures they enjoy to guard!" And, if there be a favoured hour When Heroes are allowed to quit 70 The tomb, and on the clouds to sit With tutelary power, On their Descendants shedding grace-- This was the hour, and that the place. II But Truth inspired the Bards of old 75 When of an iron age they told, Which to unequal laws gave birth, And[524] drove Astræa from the earth.[IF] --A gentle Boy (perchance with blood As noble as the best endued, 80 But seemingly a Thing despised; Even by the sun and air unprized; For not a tinge or flowery streak Appeared upon his tender cheek) Heart-deaf to those rebounding notes, 85 Apart, beside his silent goats, Sate watching in a forest shed, Pale, ragged, with bare feet and head;[525] Mute as the snow upon the hill, And, as the saint he prays to, still. 90 Ah, what avails heroic deed? What liberty? if no defence Be won for feeble Innocence. Father of all! though wilful Manhood read[526] His punishment in soul-distress, 95 Grant to the morn of life its natural blessedness![IG] VARIANTS: [Footnote 520: 1827. Of plaster-craft ... 1822. ] [Footnote 521: 1837. ... and free 1822. ] [Footnote 522: 1827.