Oft had he ridden on that winged wave, VIII. The midnight pass’d—and to the massy door, A light step came-it paused-it moved once more ; Slow turns the grating bolt and sullen key: 'Tis as his heart foreboded—that fair she! 1445 Whate'er her sins, to him a guardian saint, And beauteous still as hermit's hope can paint ; Yet changed since last within that cell she came, More pale her cheek, more tremulous her frame: On him she cast her dark and hurried eye 1450 Which spoke before her accents—thou must die! “ Yes, thou must die--there is but one resource, The last-the worst-if torture were not worse.” “ Lady! I look to none--my lips proclaim 1454 " What last proclaim'd they-Conrad still the same: “Why should'st thou seek an outlaw's life to spare, “ And change the sentence I deserve to bear? “ Well have I earn'd-nor here alone-the meed “ Of Seyd's revenge, by many a lawless deed.” “ Why should I seek ? because-Oh! didst thou not « Redeem my life from worse than slavery's lot? 1461 “Why should I seek?_hath misery made thee blind “ To the fond workings of a woman's mind! " And must I say? albeit my heart rebel « With all that woman feels, but should not tell — 1465 “ Because - despite thy crimes—that heart is moved “ It fear'd thee-thank'd thee-pitied-madden'd loved. “ Reply not, tell not now thy tale again, “ Thou lov'st another—and I love in vain ; “ Though fond as mine her bosom, form more fair, 1470 “ I rush through peril which she would not dare. « If that thy heart to hers were truly dear, “ Were I thine own--thou wert not lonely here: “ An outlaw's spouse--and leave her lord to roam! “ What hath such gentle dame to do with home? 1475 “But speak not now--o'er thine and o'er my head • Hangs the keen sabre by a single thread ; “ If thou hast courage still, and would'st be free, “ Receive this poniard-rise-and follow me !" “ Ay-in my chains ! my steps will gently tread, 1480 “ With these adornments, o'er each slumbering head! " Thou hast forgot-is this a garb for flight? “ Or is that instrument more fit for fight?” " Misdoubting Corsair! I have gain’d the guard, “ Ripe for revolt, and greedy for reward. 1485 66 A single word of mine removes that chain : “ Without some aid how here could I remain ? “ Well, since we met, hath sped my busy time, “ If in aught evil, for thy sake the crime: “ The crime-'tis none to punish those of Seyd. 1490 “ That hated tyrant, Conrad-he must bleed! " I see thee shudder-but my soul is changed - (ed“ Wrong'd-spurn'd-reviled--and it shall be aveng“ Accused of what till now my heart disdain'd“ Too faithful, though to bitter bondage chain’d. 1495 “ Yes, smile!—but he had little cause to sneer, “ I was not treacherous then-nor thou too dear: "But he has said it-and the jealous well, “ Those tyrants, teasing, tempting to rebel, “ Deserve the fate their fretting lips foretell. 1500 “ I never loved-he bought me somewhat high“ Since with me came a heart he could not buy. “ I was a slave unmurmuring; he hath said, “But for his rescue I with thee had fed, “ 'Twas false thou know'st—but let such augurs rue, “ Their words are omens Insult renders true. 1511 “ Nor was thy respite granted to my prayer; “ This fleeting grace was only to prepare “ New torments for thy life, and my despair. “ Mine too he threatens; but his dotage still 1511 “Would fain reserve me for his lordly will: “When wearier of these fleeting charms and me, “There yawns the sack-and yonder rolls the sea! “What, am I then a toy for dotard's play, “ To wear but till the gilding frets away? 1520 “ I saw thee-loved thee-owe thee all-would save, • If but to show how grateful is a slave. " But had he not thus menaced fame and life, “(And well he keeps his oaths pronounced in strife) “I still had saved thee--but the Pacha spared, 1525 “ Now I am all thine own-for all prepared : “ Thou lov'st me not-nor know'st---or but the worst. “ Alas! this love---that hatred are the first--“Oh! could'st thou prove my truth, thou would'st not start, « Nor fear the fire that lights an Eastern heart, 1530 6 "Tis now the beacon of thy safety---Now " It points within the port a Mainote prow: “But in one chamber, where our path must lead, “There sleeps-he must not wake-the oppressor Seyd!” 1535 6 Gulnare-Gulnare-I never felt till now “ Seyd is mine enemy: had swept my band « From earth with ruthless but with open hand, “ And therefore came I, in my bark of war, “ To smite the smiter with the scimetar; 1540 “ Such is my weapon-not the secret knife“Who spares a woman's, seeks not slumber's life. « Thine saved I gladly, Lady, not for this“Let me not deem that mercy shown amiss. " Now fare thee well—more peace be with thy breast! “Night wears apace-my last of earthly rest!” 1546 “ Rest! Rest! by sunrise must thy sinews shake, “And thy limbs writhe around the ready stake. “I heard the order--saw-I will not see“ If thou wilt perish, I will fall with thee. 1550 “ My life my love-my hatred-all below “ Are on this cast-Corsair! 'tis but a blow! “Without it flight were idle-how evade “ His sure pursuit! my wrongs too unrepaid, “My youth disgraced—the long, long wasted years, * One blow shall cancel with our future fears; 1556 “But since the dagger suits thee less than brand, “ I'll try the firmness of a female hand. “The guards are gain'd-one moment all were o'er“ Corsair ! we meet in safety or no more ; 1560 “ If errs my feeble hand, the morning cloud “ Will hover o'er thy scaffold, and my shroud," |