[Footnote Y:  The previous four lines are the opening ones of the poem ‘Vaudracour and Julia’. (See p. 24.)—­Ed.]

[Footnote Z:  The last five lines are almost a reproduction of the concluding five in ’Vaudracour and Julia’.—­Ed.]

* * * * *

BOOK TENTH

RESIDENCE IN FRANCE—­’continued’

  It was a beautiful and silent day
  That overspread the countenance of earth,
  Then fading with unusual quietness,—­
  A day as beautiful as e’er was given
  To soothe regret, though deepening what it soothed, 5
  When by the gliding Loire I paused, and cast
  Upon his rich domains, vineyard and tilth,
  Green meadow-ground, and many-coloured woods,
  Again, and yet again, a farewell look;
  Then from the quiet of that scene passed on, 10
  Bound to the fierce Metropolis. [A] From his throne
  The King had fallen, [B] and that invading host—­
  Presumptuous cloud, on whose black front was written
  The tender mercies of the dismal wind
  That bore it—­on the plains of Liberty 15
  Had burst innocuous.  Say in bolder words,
  They—­who had come elate as eastern hunters
  Banded beneath the Great Mogul, when he
  Erewhile went forth from Agra or Lahore,
  Rajahs and Omrahs [C] in his train, intent 20
  To drive their prey enclosed within a ring
  Wide as a province, but, the signal given,
  Before the point of the life-threatening spear
  Narrowing itself by moments—­they, rash men,
  Had seen the anticipated quarry turned 25
  Into avengers, from whose wrath they fled
  In terror.  Disappointment and dismay
  Remained for all whose fancies had run wild
  With evil expectations; confidence
  And perfect triumph for the better cause. 30

    The State, as if to stamp the final seal
  On her security, and to the world
  Show what she was, a high and fearless soul,
  Exulting in defiance, or heart-stung
  By sharp resentment, or belike to taunt 35
  With spiteful gratitude the baffled League,
  That had stirred up her slackening faculties
  To a new transition, when the King was crushed,
  Spared not the empty throne, and in proud haste
  Assumed the body and venerable name 40
  Of a Republic. [D] Lamentable crimes,
  ’Tis true, had gone before this hour, dire work
  Of massacre, [E] in which the senseless sword
  Was prayed to as a judge; but these were past,
  Earth free from them for ever, as was thought,—­45
  Ephemeral monsters, to be seen but once! 
  Things that could only show themselves and die.