BOOK THE FOURTH
129
Rear'd to St. Catharine's holy memory. 105
Her death the altar told, what time expos'd
A virgin victim to the despot's rage,
The agonizing rack outstretch'd her limbs,
Till the strain'd muscles crack'd, and from their sockets
Started the blood-red eyes. Before her stood 110
Glutting his iron sight, the giant form
Of Maximin, on whose rais'd lip Revenge
Kindled a savage smile; whilst even the face
Of the hard executioner relax'd,
And sternly soften'd to a maiden tear. 115
Her death the altar told, what time expos'd
A virgin victim to the despot's rage,
The agonizing rack outstretch'd her limbs,
Till the strain'd muscles crack'd, and from their sockets
Started the blood-red eyes. Before her stood 110
Glutting his iron sight, the giant form
Of Maximin, on whose rais'd lip Revenge
Kindled a savage smile; whilst even the face
Of the hard executioner relax'd,
And sternly soften'd to a maiden tear. 115
Her eye averting from the storied woe,
The delegated damsel knelt and pour'd
To Heaven the prayer of praise.
A trophied tomb
Close to the altar rear'd its antique bulk.
Two pointless javelins and a broken sword, 120
Time-mouldering now, proclaim'd some warrior slept
The sleep of death beneath. A massy stone
The delegated damsel knelt and pour'd
To Heaven the prayer of praise.
A trophied tomb
Close to the altar rear'd its antique bulk.
Two pointless javelins and a broken sword, 120
Time-mouldering now, proclaim'd some warrior slept
The sleep of death beneath. A massy stone
And
