262 THE RETURN OF NAPOLEON.
And the noble war-horse, led
Caparisoned along, Seems fiercely for his lord to ask,
As his red eye scans the throng.
"Who rideth on yon car ?
The incense flameth high, Comes there some demi-god of old ?
No answer I no reply ! Who rideth on yon car ?
No shout his minions raise, But by a lofty chapel dome
The muffled hero stays.
A king is standing there,
And with uncovered head Receives him in the name of France,
Receiveth whom ? the Dead ! Was he not buried deep
In island-cavern drear, Girt by the sounding ocean surge ?
How came that sleeper here ?
Was there no rest for him
Beneath a peaceful pall, That thus he breaks his stony tomb,
Ere the strong angel s call ? Hark ! hark ! the requiem swells,
A deep, soul-thrilling strain ! An echo, never to be heard
By mortal ear again.
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