IV. In that wild council words wax'd warm and strange, 1295 V. Within the Haram's secret chamber sate 1300 1305 Stern Seyd, still pondering o'er his Captive's fate; His only bends in seeming o'er his beads, (15) 1310 "Pacha! the day is thine; and on thy crest "Sits Triumph---Conrad taken---fall'n the rest! "His doom is fix'd---he dies: and well his fate 1815 “Was earn'd---yet much too worthless for thy hate: "Methinks, a short release, for ransom told "With all his treasure, not unwisely sold; "Report speaks largely of his pirate-hoard-- "Would that of this my Pacha were the Lord! 1820 "While baffled, weaken'd by this fatal fray--"Watch'd---follow'd--- he were then an easier prey; "But once cut off---the remnant of his band "Embark their wealth, and seek a safer strand." "Gulnare !---if for each drop of blood a gem 1325 “ Of wealth were here—that gold should not redeem! "It had not now redeem'd a single hour; "But that I know him fetter'd, in my power; "And, thirsting for revenge, I ponder still "On pangs that longest rack, and latest kill." 1331 "Nay, Seyd!--I seek not to restrain thy rage, 1335 "Too justly moved for mercy to assuage; "My thoughts were only to secure for thee "His capture could but wait thy first command." 1340 "His capture could !---and shall I then resign "One day to him---the wretch already mine? "Release my foe !---at whose remonstrance ?---thine "Fair suitor!---to thy virtuous gratitude, "That thus repays this Giaour's relenting mood, 1545 "Which thee and thine alone of all could spare, "No doubt---regardless if the prize were fair, "My thanks and praise alike are due---now hear! "I have a counsel for thy gentler ear: 1350 1355 "I do mistrust thee, woman! and each word "Of thine stamps truth on all Suspicion heard. “Borne in his arms through fire from yon Serai--"Say, wert thou lingering there with him to fly? "Thou need'st not answer---thy confession speaks, "Already reddening on thy guilty cheeks; “Then, lovely dame, bethink thee! and beware: ""Tis not his life alone may claim such care! "Another word and---nay---I need no more. "Accursed was the moment when he bore "Thee from the flames, which better far---but---no--"I then had mourn'd thee with a lover's wo--"Now 'tis thy lord that warns---deceitful thing! "Know'st thou that I can clip thy wanton wing? "In words alone I am not wont to chafe: 1361 "Look to thyself---nor deem thy falsehood safe!" 1365 He rose---and slowly, sternly thence withdrew, She was a slave-from such may captives claim A fellow-feeling, differing but in name ; 1375 That strife of thought, the source of woman's woes! VI. Meanwhile-long anxious-weary-still-the same Roll'd day and night—his soul could terror tame, This fearful interval of doubt and dread, 1382 When every hour might doom him worse than dead, When every step that echo'd by the gate, Might entering lead where axe and stake await; 1385 When every voice that grated on his ear Might be the last that he could ever hear; Could terror tame-that spirit stern and high Had proved unwilling as unfit to die; "Twas worn-perhaps decay'd-yet silent bore 1390 That conflict deadlier far than all before : The heat of fight, the hurry of the gale, Leave scarce one thought inert enough to quail; To pine, the prey of every changing mood; 1395 With not a friend to animate, and tell To other ears that death became thee well; 1400 Before thee tortures, which the soul can dare, To valour's praise thy last and dearest claim; VII. 1410 1415 The first day pass'd-he saw not her-Gulnare- The fourth day roll'd along, and with the night 1420 his sleep; That ne'er till now so broke upon 1425 |