Page:The Works of Lord Byron (ed. Coleridge, Prothero) - Volume 3.djvu/370

That friendship, pity, or aversion knew,^{[lower-roman 1]}
Still there within the inmost thought he grew.
You could not penetrate his soul, but found,
Despite your wonder, to your own he wound;
His presence haunted still; and from the breasts^{[lower-roman 2]}
He forced an all unwilling interest: 380
Vain was the struggle in that mental net—
His Spirit seemed to dare you to forget!

XX.
There is a festival, where knights and dames,
And aught that wealth or lofty lineage claims,
Appear—a high-born and a welcome guest
To Otho's hall came Lara with the rest.
The long carousal shakes the illumined hall,
Well speeds alike the banquet and the ball;
And the gay dance of bounding Beauty's train
Links grace and harmony in happiest chain: 390
Blest are the early hearts and gentle hands
That mingle there in well according bands;
It is a sight the careful brow might smooth,
And make Age smile, and dream itself to youth,
And Youth forget such hour was passed on earth,
So springs the exulting bosom to that mirth!^{[lower-roman 3]}

XXI.
And Lara gazed on these, sedately glad,
His brow belied him if his soul was sad;
And his glance followed fast each fluttering fair,

1. That friendship, interest, aversion knew
   But there within your inmost ———.—[MS.]
2. Yes you might hate abhor, but from the breast
   He wrung an all unwilling interest—
   Vain was the struggle in that sightless net.—[MS.]
3. So springs the exulting spirit ———.—[MS.]