"Sweet, as the desert-fountain's wave "To lips just cool'd in time to save"Such to my longing sight art thou; "Nor can they waft to Mecca's shrine "More thanks for life, than I for thine, "Who blest thy birth, and bless thee now." VI. Fair, as the first that fell of womankind, 155 When on that dread yet lovely serpent smiling, Whose image then was stamp'd upon her mind- 160 But once beguiled-and ever more beguiling; Dazzling, as that, oh! too transcendant vision To Sorrow's phantom-peopled slumber given, When heart meets heart again in dreams Elysian, And paints the lost on Earth revived in Heaven; 165 Soft, as the memory of buried love; Pure, as the prayer which Childhood wafts above; Was she-the daughter of that rude old Chief, Who met the maid with tears-but not of grief. Who hath not proved how feebly words essay 170 175 The light of love, the purity of grace, The mind, the Music breathing from her face, (6) 185 "We Moslem reck not much of blood; "But yet the line of Carasman (7) 200 "Unchanged, unchangeable hath stood "First of the bold Timariot bands "That won and well can keep their lands. "Enough that he who comes to woo 205 Is kinsman of the Bey Oglou: "His years need scarce a thought employ; VIII. In silence bow'd the virgin's head; And if her eye was fill'd with tears That stifled feeling dare not shed, And changed her cheek from pale to red, 210 215 220 And red to pale, as through her ears Those winged words like arrows sped, What could such be but maiden fears? 225 So bright the tear in Beauty's eye, Whate'er it was the sire forgot; Or if remember'd, mark'd it not; 230 Thrice clapp'd his hands, and call'd his steed, (9) Resign'd his gem-adorn'd Chibouque, (10) And mounting featly for the mead, 235 Watch well the Haram's massy doors. 240 IX. His head was leant upon his hand, His eye look'd o'er the dark blue water X. No word from Selim's bosom broke; 245 250 255 Equal her grief, yet not the same; 260 265 She snatch'd the urn wherein was mix'd The Persian Atar-gul's (15) perfume, 270 And sprinkled all its odours o'er The pictured roof (16) and marble floor: 275 The fairest flowers of Eastern land 280 "He loved them once; may touch them yet, "If offer'd by Zuleika's hand." The childish thought was hardly breathed The next fond moment saw her seat 285 |