If not, o'er one fallen Despot boast no more! In vain fair cheeks were furrowed with hot tears For Europe's flowers long rooted up before The trampler of her vineyards; in vain, years Of death, depopulation, bondage, fears, Have all been borne, and broken by the accord Of roused-up millions: all that most endears Glory, is when the myrtle wreathes a Sword, Such as Harmodius[2.B.] drew on Athens' tyrant Lord. XXI. There was a sound of revelry by night,[290] And Belgium's Capital had gathered then Her Beauty and her Chivalry--and bright The lamps shone o'er fair women and brave men;[hf] A thousand hearts beat happily; and when Music arose with its voluptuous swell, Soft eyes looked love to eyes which spake again, And all went merry as a marriage bell;[3.B.] But hush! hark! a deep sound strikes like a rising knell! XXII. Did ye not hear it?--No--'twas but the Wind, Or the car rattling o'er the stony street; On with the dance! let joy be unconfined; No sleep till morn, when Youth and Pleasure meet To chase the glowing Hours with flying feet-- But hark!--that heavy sound breaks in once more, As if the clouds its echo would repeat; And nearer--clearer--deadlier than before![hg] Arm! Arm! it is--it is--the cannon's opening roar![hh] XXIII. Within a windowed niche of that high hall Sate Brunswick's fated Chieftain; he did hear[291] That sound the first amidst the festival, And caught its tone with Death's prophetic ear; And when they smiled because he deemed it near, His heart more truly knew that peal too well[hi] Which stretched his father on a bloody bier, And roused the vengeance blood alone could quell; He rushed into the field, and, foremost fighting, fell. XXIV. Ah! then and there was hurrying to and fro-- And gathering tears, and tremblings of distress,[hj] And cheeks all pale, which but an hour ago Blushed at the praise of their own loveliness-- And there were sudden partings, such as press[hk] The life from out young hearts, and choking sighs Which ne'er might be repeated; who could guess If ever more should meet those mutual eyes, Since upon night so sweet such awful morn could rise![hl] XXV.