XIX. "The shallop of a trusty Moor Convey'd me from this idle shore; "I long'd to see the isles that gem "Old Ocean's purple diadem: "I sought by turns, and saw them all; (34) "But when and where I join'd the crew, "With whom I'm pledged to rise or fall, "When all that we design to do "Is done, 'twill then be time more meet "To tell thee, when the tale's complete. XX. ""Tis true, they are a lawless brood, "But rough in form, nor mild in mood; "And every creed, and every race, "With them hath found-may find a place: "But open speech, and ready hand, "Obedience to their chief's command; "A soul for every enterprise, "That never sees with terror's eyes; "Friendship for each, and faith to all, "And vengeance vow'd for those who fall, "Have made them fitting instruments "For more than ev'n my own intents. "And some and I have studied all « But chiefly to my council call "The wisdom of the cautious Frank"And some to higher thoughts aspire, "The last of Lambro's (35) patriots there "Anticipated freedom share; "And oft around the cavern fire "On visionary schemes debate, "To snatch the Rayahs (36) from their fate. "So let them ease their hearts with prate. “Of equal rights, which man ne'er knew; "I have a love for freedom too. Ay! let me like the ocean-Patriarch (37) roam, "Or only know on land the Tartar's home! (38). 66 My tent on shore, my galley on the sea, "Are more than cities and Serais to me: "Borne by my steed, or wafted by my sail, "Across the desert, or before the gale, "Bound where thou wilt, my barb! or glide, my prow! "But be the star that guides the wanderer, Thou! "Thou, my Zuleika, share and bless my bark; "The Dove of peace and promise to mine ark! "Or, since that hope denied in worlds of strife, "Be thou the rainbow to the storms of life! "The evening beam that smiles the clouds away, "And tints to-morrow with prophetic ray! "Blest-as the Muezzin's strain from Mecca's wall "To pilgrims pure and prostrate at his call; "Soft-as the melody of youthful days, "That steals the trembling tear of speechless praise; "Dear—as his native song to Exile's ears, “Shall sound each tone thy long-loved voice endears. “For thee in those bright isles is built a bower "Blooming as Aden (39) in its earliest hour. “A thousand swords, with Selim's heart and hand, "Wait-wave-defend-destroy-at thy command! "Girt by my band, Zuleika at my side, "The spoil of nations shall bedeck my bride. “ Yet well my toils shall that fond breast repay, "Mark! where his carnage and his conquests cease! "He makes a solitude, and calls it-peace! "I like the rest must use my skill or strength, "But ask no land beyond my sabre's length: "Power sways but by division-her resource "The blest alternative of fraud or force! "Ours be the last; in time deceit may come "When cities cage us in a social home: "There ev'n thy soul might err—how oft the heart 66 Corruption shakes which peril could not part! “And woman, more than man, when death or woe "Or even Disgrace would lay her lover low, "Sunk in the lap of Luxury will shame— 66 Away suspicion!—not Zuleika's name! "But life is hazard at the best; and here By Osman's power, and Giaffir's stern decree. "That dread shall vanish with the favouring gale, "Which Love to-night hath promised to my sail : "No danger daunts the pair his smile hath blest, "Their steps still roving, but their hearts at rest. "With thee all toils are sweet, each clime hath charms;. "Earth-sea alike—our world within our arms! "Ay-let the loud winds whistle o'er the deck, "So that those arms cling closer round my neck: "The deepest murmur of this lip shall be "No sigh for safety, but a prayer for thee! "The war of elements no fears impart "To Love, whose deadliest bane is human Art: "Few words remain of mine my tale to close; XXI. "His head and faith from doubt and death "Return'd in time my guard to save; "Few heard, none told, that o'er the wave "No deed they've done, nor deed shall do, "But now too long I've held thine ear; |