IX.

The sterner spirits who beheld that meeting Were not unmoved; who are, when hearts are greeting? Even Christian gazed upon the maid and boy With tearless eye, but yet a gloomy joy Mixed with those bitter thoughts the soul arrays In hopeless visions of our better days, When all's gone--to the rainbow's latest ray. "And but for me!" he said, and turned away; Then gazed upon the pair, as in his den A lion looks upon his cubs again; 210 And then relapsed into his sullen guise, As heedless of his further destinies.