The Owl usurps the beacon.tower; The wild-dog howls o'er the fountain's brim, 295 For the stream has shrunk from its marble bed, And chase the sultriness of day, And flung luxurious coolness round The air, and verdure o'er the ground. 300 "Twas sweet, when cloudless stars were bright, 305 To view the wave of watery light, And hear its melody by night. And oft had Hassan's Childhood play'd 1 And oft upon his mother's breast 310 That sound had harmonized his rest; And oft had Hassan's Youth along Its bank been soothed by Beauty's song; And softer seem'd each melting tone 315 Of Music mingled with its own. The blood that warm'd his heart is shed! And here no more shall human voice 320 Be heard to rage, regret, rejoice. The last sad note that swell'd the gale That quench'd in silence, all is still, But the lattice that flaps when the wind is shrill: 325 No hand shall close its clasp again. The rudest steps of fellow man, Hath slowly work'd her cankering way— But gloom is gather'd o'er the gate, 330 $35 Nor there the Fakir's self will wait; Nor there will wandering Dervise stay, 540 For Bounty cheers not his delay; Nor there will weary stranger halt To bless the sacred "bread and salt." (11) The guest flies the hall, and the vassal from labour, 350 Since his turban was cleft by the infidel's sabre ! (12) But not a voice mine ear to greet; $55 The foremost of the band is seen "Ho! who art thou?-this low salam(15) "Replies of Moslem faith I am. "The burthen ye so gently bear, $60 "Seems one that claims your utmost care, "Thou speakest sooth, thy skiff unmoor, "And waft us from the silent shore; "Nay, leave the sail still furl'd, and ply "The nearest oar that's scatter'd by, "And midway to those rocks where sleep "The channel'd waters dark and deep. "Rest from your task-so-bravely done, "Our course has been right swiftly run; "Yet 'tis the longest voyage, I trow, $65 370 Sullen it plunged, and slowly sank, That gemm'd the tide, then mock'd the sight; Known but to Genii of the deep, 375 380 385 As rising on its purple wing The insect-queen (16) of eastern spring, Invites the young pursuer near, And leads him on from flower to flower A weary chase and wasted hour, Then leaves him, as it soars on high, 390 395 If won, to equal ills betray'd, Wo waits the insect and the maid; From infant's play, and man's caprice : For every touch that wooed its stay 400 405 The Mind, that broods o'er guilty woes, 415 420 In circle narrowing as it glows, The flames around their captive close, 425 And maddening in her ire, |