friend, stands by; when the body is uncovered, the monk turns away his face—
'For he might not abide the sight to see
Of the man he had loved so brotherly.'" *[1]
"I remember," returned Lady Mandeville, "another instance, where a single thought has produced the effect, on me at least, of a whole poem of images: it is from Byron. The Prisoner of Chillon is speaking of the younger brother who lies buried at his side: he says,
'For he was beautiful as day,
When day was beautiful to me.'"
"And, while we are remembering, let me recall another passage from Scott that has always especially delighted me," observed Lord Mandeville. "The Minstrel is relating to the captive chieftain the battle in which his clan have been worsted: he softens the defeat by ascribing it all to his absence, and sinks the flight in the exclamation,
'Oh, where was Roderic then?—
One blast upon his bugle horn
Were worth a thousand men.'"
- ↑ * I find this remark previously made in the National Portrait Gallery; and I am glad to observe the opinion confirmed by such authority as the author of those biographical sketches.
