It were too much for Lara to pass by

Such question, so repeated fierce and high;

With look collected, but with accent cold,

More mildly firm than petulantly bold,

He turn'd, and met the inquisitorial tone —

"My name is Lara! — when thine own is known,

Doubt not my fitting answer to requite

The unlook'd for courtesy of such a knight.

'Tis Lara! — further wouldst thou mark or ask?

I shun no question, and I wear no mask."

"Thou shunn'st no question! Ponder — is there none

Thy heart must answer, though thine ear would shun?

And deem'st thou me unknown too? Gaze again!

At least thy memory was not given in vain.

Oh! never canst thou cancel half her debt,

Eternity forbids thee to forget."

With slow and searching glance upon his face Grew Lara's eyes, but nothing there could trace They knew, or chose to know — with dubious look He deign'd no answer, but his head he shook, And half contemptuous turn'd to pass away; But the stern stranger motion'd him to stay.