(From “Bothwell”)
DOWN came the rain with steady pour, | |
| It splashed the pools among our feet; | |
| Each minute seemed in length an hour, | |
| As each went by, yet uncomplete. | |
| “Hell! should it fail, our plot is vain! | 5 |
| Bolton—you have mislaid the light! | |
| Give me the key—I’ll fire the train, | |
| Though I be partner of his flight!” | |
| “Stay, stay, my Lord! you shall not go! | |
| ’Twere madness now to near the place; | 10 |
| The soldiers’ fuses burn but slow; | |
| Abide, abide a little space! | |
There’s time enough”—
He said no more, | |
| For at the instant flashed the glare, | |
| And with a hoarse infernal roar | 15 |
| A blaze went up and filled the air! | |
| Rafters, and stones, and bodies rose | |
| In one thick gush of blinding flame, | |
| And down, and down, amidst the dark, | |
| Hurtling on every side they came. | 20 |
| Surely the devil tarried near, | |
| To make the blast more fierce and fell, | |
| For never pealed on human ear | |
| So dreadful and so dire a knell. | |
| The heavens took up the earth’s dismay, | 25 |
| The thunder bellowed overhead; | |
| Steep called to steep. Away, away!— | |
| Then fear fell on me, and I fled. | |
| For I was dazzled and amazed— | |
| A fire was flashing in my brain— | 30 |
| I hasted like a creature crazed, | |
| Who strives to overrun his pain. | |
| I took the least frequented road, | |
| But even there arose a hum; | |
| Lights showed in every vile abode, | 35 |
| And far away I heard the drum. | |
| Roused was the city, late so still; | |
| Burghers, half clad, ran hurrying by, | |
| Old crones came forth, and scolded shrill, | |
| Men shouted challenge and reply. | 40 |
| Yet no one dared to cross my path, | |
| My hand was on my dagger’s hilt; | |
| Fear is as terrible as wrath, | |
| And vengeance not more fierce than guilt. | |
| I would have stricken to the heart | 45 |
| Whoever should have stopped me then; | |
| None saw me from the palace part, | |
| None saw me enter it again. | |
| Ah! but I heard a whisper pass, | |
| It thrilled me as I reached the door— | 50 |
| “Welcome to thee, the knight that was, | |
| The felon now for evermore!” | |
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