II. Begirt with many a gallant slave, Deep thought was in his aged eye; Not oft betrays to standers by 20 25 All but unconquerable pride, His pensive cheek and pondering brow 30. Did more than he was wont avow. III. "Let the chamber be clear'd."—The train disappear'd, "Now call me the chief of the Haram guard." With Giaffir is none but his only son, And the Nubian awaiting the sire's award. "Haroun-when all the crowd that wait "Are pass'd beyond the outer gate, 35 "(Wo to the head whose eye beheld "My child Zuleika's face unveil'd') "Hence, lead my daughter from her tower; 40 "Her fate is fix'd this very hour: "Yet not to her repeat my thought ; "By me alone be duty taught!" "Pacha! to hear is to obey." First lowly rendering reverence meet; Still standing at the Pacha's feet: For son of Moslem must expire, Ere dare to sit before his sire! "Father! for fear that thou should'st chide 66 My sister, or her sable guide, "Know-for the fault, if fault there be, "Was mine, then fall thy frowns on me-"So lovelily the morning shone, "That-let the old and weary sleep "I could not; and to view alone "The fairest scenes of land and deep, "With none to listen and reply "To thoughts with which my heart beat high "I on Zuleika's slumber broke, 45 50 55 60 65 "And, as thou knowest that for me "Soon turns the Haram's grating key, "Before the guardian slaves awoke "We to the cypress groves had flown, "And made earth, main, and heaven our own! 70 "There linger'd we, beguiled too long "Warn'd by the sound, to greet thee flew : "But there Zuleika wanders yet 75 "Nay, father, rage not-nor forget "That none can pierce that secret bower "But those who watch the women's tower." 80 IV. "Son of a slave"-the Pacha said- 66 “From unbelieving mother bred, "Vain were a father's hope to see “Aught that beseems a man in thee. "Thou, when thine arm should bend the bow, 85 "And hurl the dart, and curb the steed, "Thou, Greek in soul if not in creed, "Must pore where babbling waters flow, "And watch unfolding roses blow. "Would that yon orb, whose matin glow 66 Thy listless eyes so much admire, “Would lend thee something of his fire! "Thou, who wouldst see this battlement "By Christian cannon piecemeal rent; "Nay, tamely view old Stambol's wall "Before the dogs of Moscow fall, 90 95 "Nor strike one stroke for life and death "Against the curs of Nazareth! "Go-let thy less than woman's hand "Assume the distaff-not the brand. 100 "But, Haroun !-to my daughter speed: "And hark---of thine own head take heed-- "If thus Zuleika oft takes wing "Thou see'st yon bow-it hath a string!" V. No sound from Selim's lip was heard, But every frown and every word Pierced keener than a Christian's sword. 105 "Son of a slave!-reproach'd with fear! 1 “Those gibes had cost another dear. 110 "Son of a slave !-and who my sire ?" He read how much his wrath had done; "Come hither, boy-what, no reply? "I mark thee-and I know thee too; 120 "But there be deeds thou dar'st not do: "But if thy beard had manlier length, "And if thy hand had skill and strength, "I'd joy to see thee break a lance, As sneeringly these accents fell, 125 That eye return'd him glance for glance, And proudly to his sire's was raised, Till Giaffir's quail'd and shrunk askance— 130 And why-he felt, but durst not tell. "Much I misdoubt this wayward boy "Will one day work me more annoy: "I never loved him from his birth, "And--but his arm is little worth, 135 "And scarcely in the chase could cope "With timid fawn or antelope, "Far less would venture into strife "Where man contends for fame and life- "I would not trust that look or tone: 140 "No-nor the blood so near my own. "That blood-he hath not heard-no more "I'll watch him closer than before. “He is an Arab (5) to my sight, "Or Christian crouching in the fight- 145 "But hark!-I hear Zuleika's voice; "Like Houris' hymn it meets mine ear: "She is the offspring of my choice; "Oh! more than ev'n her mother dear, "With all to hope, and naught to fear"My Peri! ever welcome here! 150 |