XLII.
“From far it shone like flame, and seemed not dight
“Of marble or of brick; and in my eye
“More wonderful the work, more fair to sight
“The walls appeared, as I approached more nigh.
“I, after, learned that it was built by sprite
“Whom potent fumes had raised and sorcery:
“Who on this rock its towers of steel did fix,
“Case-hardened in the stream and fire of Styx.
XLIII.
“Each polished turret shines with such a ray
“That it defies the mouldering rust and rain:
“The robber scours the country night and day,
“And after harbours in this sure domain.
“Nothing is safe which he would bear away;
“Pursued with curses and with threats in vain.
“There (fruitless every hope to foil his art)
“The felon keeps my love, oh! say my heart.
XLIV.
“Alas! what more is left me but to eye
“Her prison on that cliff’s aërial crest?
“Like the she-fox, who hears her offspring cry,
“Standing beneath the ravening eagle’s nest;
“And since she has not wings to rise and fly,
“Runs round the rugged rock with hopeless quest.
“So inaccessible the wild dominion
“To whatsoever has not plume and pinion.
