LI. Dusky and huge, enlarging on the sight, Nature's volcanic Amphitheatre,[22.B.] Chimæra's Alps extend from left to right: Beneath, a living valley seems to stir; Flocks play, trees wave, streams flow, the mountain-fir Nodding above; behold black Acheron![23.B.] Once consecrated to the sepulchre. Pluto! if this be Hell I look upon, Close shamed Elysium's gates, my shade shall seek for none[fb]. LII. Ne city's towers pollute the lovely view; Unseen is Yanina, though not remote, Veiled by the screen of hills: here men are few, Scanty the hamlet, rare the lonely cot: But, peering down each precipice, the goat[fc] Browseth; and, pensive o'er his scattered flock, The little shepherd in his white capote[24.B.] Doth lean his boyish form along the rock, Or in his cave awaits the Tempest's short-lived shock.[fd] LIII. Oh! where, Dodona![151] is thine agéd Grove, Prophetic Fount, and Oracle divine? What valley echoed the response of Jove? What trace remaineth of the Thunderer's shrine? All, all forgotten--and shall Man repine That his frail bonds to fleeting life are broke?[152] Cease, Fool! the fate of Gods may well be thine: Wouldst thou survive the marble or the oak? When nations, tongues, and worlds must sink beneath the stroke! LIV. Epirus' bounds recede, and mountains fail;[153] Tired of up-gazing still, the wearied eye Reposes gladly on as smooth a vale As ever Spring yclad in grassy dye:[154] Ev'n on a plain no humble beauties lie, Where some bold river breaks the long expanse, And woods along the banks are waving high, Whose shadows in the glassy waters dance, Or with the moonbeam sleep in Midnight's solemn trance. LV. The Sun had sunk behind vast Tomerit,[25.B.] And Laos wide and fierce came roaring by;[26.B.] The shades of wonted night were gathering yet, When, down the steep banks winding warily, Childe Harold saw, like meteors in the sky,[155] The glittering minarets of Tepalen, Whose walls o'erlook the stream; and drawing nigh, He heard the busy hum of warrior-men Swelling the breeze that sighed along the lengthening glen. LVI. He passed the sacred Haram's silent tower, And underneath the wide o'erarching gate Surveyed the dwelling of this Chief of power, Where all around proclaimed his high estate. Amidst no common pomp the Despot sate, While busy preparation shook the court, Slaves, eunuchs, soldiers, guests, and santons[156] wait;[fe] Within, a palace, and without, a fort: Here men of every clime appear to make resort.