And Lara left in youth his father-land;

But from the hour he waved his parting hand

Each trace waxed fainter of his course, till all

Had nearly ceased his memory to recall.

His sire was dust, his vassals could declare,

'Twas all they knew, that Lara was not there; 30

Nor sent, nor came he, till conjecture grew

Cold in the many, anxious in the few.

His hall scarce echoes with his wonted name,

His portrait darkens in its fading frame,

Another chief consoled his destined bride,  ⁷

The young forgot him, and the old had died;  ⁸

"Yet doth he live!" exclaims the impatient heir,

And sighs for sables which he must not wear.  ⁹

A hundred scutcheons deck with gloomy grace

The Laras' last and longest dwelling-place; 40

But one is absent from the mouldering file,

That now were welcome in that Gothic pile.  ¹⁰