"And bursting vapours ftruggling for a vent, "Blaze in the upper and the nether sky? XLIX. 194 Or what if heav'n's high pow'r in vengeance rise, To hurl thefe bolts that fet the skies on fire? "What if th' Almighty Mind these strokes devise, "And groaning nations in the shock expire ? L. 196 "Think'st thou not Virtue can maintain her seat, Offspring belov'd of heav'n's eternal King? "Think it thou fuch fhocks can reach her bleft retreat, **Shelter'd behind the cherub Mercy's wing. LI. "No! let the coward guilty only fear, 200 "Whose conscious hearts reproach them from within; "It is their place alone to tremble here, "Who fink opprefs'd beneath a load of fin. "Believe me, LII. Goltho, not the roaring war Of yonder fiery cope, tho' mov'd etern', "Can with the dreadful paffions ere compare, "That raging in unhallow'd bofoms burn. LIH. "For thefe all in their place the lot fulfil, 204 208 "Which Heav'n to each most wifely hath affign'd, "Whilft those tempestuous passions thwart the will, "And cross the mandates of th' Almighty Mind."212 LIV. Touch'd with the words of one fo wife and young, LV. But now two paths full op'ning to the view, LVI. One track led winding down a shelving dale, 220 Wide and more wide its greenwood carpet spread. LVII. Goltho and Sigebert now first defcend The darkling dell, and its recefs explore, 225 Whilst where the wid'ning shades more free extend, · LVÍN. This done, they all appointed to return To that fame place where both the ways did meet, The open plain, turn'd back, his friend to greet. LIX. But when the spot he gain'd, in vain he fought 235 Revolving over in his anxious thought The various perils of uncertain fates. LX. 235 But, tir'd at length, he down the darkling dale Moves with foft pace, and prudent eye afkance, Meas'ring the track where scoops the hollow vale, And his firm steps fupporting on his lance. LXI. So fteers fome veffel thro' the boiling deep, 240 While rocks, and fhoals, and quickfands are in view, Such cautious watch the fteady pilots keep, And guide what course to shun and what pursue; LXII. And ever and anon the boist'rous surge, 245 That fwells to meet them, carefully avoid, Then with quick helm the answering veffel urge LXIII. And now had Ulfinore, with weary pace, Trac'd many a rood of that fame winding way, 250 Exploring as he went each fecret place, Each dell, impervious e'en to brightest day. LXIV. At length, emerging from the op'ning glade, Whofe verdant top was crown'd with leafy shade, And at its foot there ran a murm'ring rill. 256 LXV. The winds were hush'd, and the loud thunder's roar The livid lightnings flashing now no more, LXVI. On the hill-top the gray dawn refted high, 260 Glad Earth reviv'd, and o'er her face was fpread 265 The leafy trees, each from his lofty head, 270 Nature rejoie'd; but ftill with downcast eye, Goltho he calls; his manly voice he rears, Oft' to its pitch, which hill and dale rebound, LXX. But Goltho hears not, distant from his friend, la evil plight he counts the lonely hours, 276 Doom'd long his fate uncertain to attend, LXXI. 280 Far had he ftray'd adown the winding track, LXXII. These by the bloody Borgio's captains led, And now fo well their evil bus'nefs fped, The youths must perish, or be captive made. LXXIII. 285 And they had perish'd, while with desp❜rate force They ftrove to penetrate the thick-rank'd foe, 290 But that they funk beneath the trampling horse, And thus were taken ev'n without a blow. LXXIV. These to the Brescian camp the chiefs convey'd, Where they in heavy chains were instant laid, 295 LXXV. But turn we now where Aribert awaits And in Verona's tow'rs th' affembled ftates Debating fage with fenatorial care. 300 |