To him, the choice of all the shining crowd, Her heart the noble Sigismonda vowed. Yet hitherto she kept her love concealed, And with close glances every day beheld The graceful youth; and every day increased The raging fire that burned within her breast: Some secret charm did all his acts attend, And what his fortune wanted, hers could mend; Till, as the fire will force its outward way, Or, in the prison pent, consume the prey, So long her earnest eyes on his were set, At length their twisted rays together met; And he, surprised with humble joy, surveyed One sweet regard, shot by the royal maid. Not well assured, while doubtful hopes he nursed, A second glance came gliding like the first; And he, who saw the sharpness of the dart, Without defence received it in his heart. In public, though their passion wanted speech, Yet mutual looks interpreted for each: Time, ways, and means of meeting, were denied; But all those wants ingenious love supplied. The inventive God, who never fails his part, Inspires the wit, when once he warms the heart. When Guiscard next was in the circle seen, Where Sigismonda held the place of queen, A hollow cane within her hand she brought, But in the concave had inclosed a note; With this she seemed to play, and, as in sport, Tossed to her love, in presence of the court: Take it, she said; and when your needs require, This little brand will serve to light your fire.-- He took it with a bow, and soon divined The seeming toy was not for nought designed: But when retired, so long with curious eyes He viewed the present, that he found the prize. Much was in little writ; and all conveyed } With cautious care, for fear to be betrayed } By some false confident, or favourite maid. } The time, the place, the manner how to meet, Were all in punctual order plainly writ: But since a trust must be, she thought it best } To put it out of laymen's power at least, } And for their solemn vows prepared a priest. } Guiscard (her secret purpose understood) With joy prepared to meet the coming good; Nor pains nor danger was resolved to spare, But use the means appointed by the fair. Near the proud palace of Salerno stood A mount of rough ascent, and thick with wood; Through this a cave was dug with vast expence, The work it seemed of some suspicious prince, Who, when abusing power with lawless might, From public justice would secure his flight. The passage made by many a winding way, Reached even the room in which the tyrant lay. Fit for his purpose, on a lower floor He lodged, whose issue was an iron door; From whence, by stairs descending to the ground, In the blind grot a safe retreat he found. Its outlet ended in a brake o'ergrown With brambles, choked by time, and now unknown. A rift there was, which from the mountain's height Conveyed a glimmering and malignant light,