Stanzas composed during a thunder-storm
Chill and mirk is the nightly blast,
Where Pindus' mountain rise,
And angry clouds are pouring fast
The vengeance of the skies.
Our guides are gone, our hope is lost
And lightning, as they play,
But show where rocks our path have crost,
Or gild the torrent's spray.
Is yon a cot I saw, through low?
When lightning broke the gloom -
How welcome were its shade! - ah, no!
It is but a Turkish tomb.
Through sounds of foaming waterfalls,
I hear a voice exclaim -
My way-worn countryman, who calls
On distant England's name.
A shot is fired - by foe or friend?
Another - 'tis to tell
The mountain peasant to descend,
And lead us where they dwell.
Oh! Who in such a night will dare
To tempt the wilderness?
And who 'mid thunder-peals can hear
Our signal of distress?
And who that heard our shouts would rise
To try the dubious road?
Nor rather deem from nightly cries
That outlaws were abroad.
Clouds burst, skies flash, oh, deadful hour!
More fiercely pours the storm!
Yet here one thought has still the power
To keep my bosom warm.
While wandering through each broken pathn
O'er brake and craggy brow,
While elements exhaust their wrath
Sweet Florence, where art thou?
Not on the sea, not on the sea
Thy bark hath long been gone :
Oh, may the storm that pour on me
Bow down my head alone!
Full swiftly blew the swift Siroc,
When lasy I pressed thy lip;
And long ere now, with foaming shock
Impell'd thy gallant ship.
Now thou art safe; nay, long ere now
Hast trod the shore of Spain;
'Twere hard if aught so fair as thou
Should linger on the main.
Lord Byron