"But let our plighted secret vow "Be only known to us as now. 370 "I know the wretch who dares demand "From Giaffir thy reluctant hand; "More ill-got wealth, a meaner soul "Was he not bred in Egripo? (21) 375 "A viler race let Israel show! "But let that pass-to none be told "Our oath; the rest shall time unfold. "To me and mine leave Osman Bey; "I've partizans for peril's day: 380 "Think not I am what I appear; "I've arms, and friends, and vengeance near.” XIII. "Think not thou art what thou appearest ! "But now thou'rt from thyself estranged. "Save that we meet not but by day: 385 390 Thy cheek, thine eyes, thy lips to kiss, "Like this-and this-no more than this; 395 "For, Alla! sure thy lips are flame: "What fever in thy veins is flushing? "My own have nearly caught the same, "At least I feel my cheek too blushing. "To soothe thy sickness, watch thy health, "Partake, but never waste thy wealth, "Or stand with smiles unmurmuring by, "And lighten half thy poverty; "Do all but close thy dying eye, "For that I could not live to try; "To these alone my thoughts aspire: 400 405 "More can I do? or thou require? "But, Selim, thou must answer why "We need so much of mystery? "The cause I cannot dream nor tell, 410 "Yet what thou mean'st by 'arms' and 'friends,' "Beyond my weaker sense extends. "I meant that Giaffir should have heard "The very vow I plighted thee; 415 "His wrath would not revoke my word: "But surely he would leave me free. "Can this fond wish seem strange in me, "To be what I have ever been? "What other hath Zuleika seen 420 "From simple childhood's earliest hour? "What other can she seek to see "Than thee, companion of her bower, The partner of her infancy? "These cherish'd thoughts with life begun, Say, why must I no more avow? "What change is wrought to make me shun "The truth; my pride, and thine till now? "To meet the gaze of stranger's eyes 425 "Our law, our creed, our God denies ; 430 "Nor shall one wandering thought of mine "At such, our Prophet's will, repine: "No! happier made by that decree! "He left me all in leaving thee. Deep were my anguish, thus compell'd "To wed with one I ne'er beheld: "This wherefore should I not reveal? "Why wilt thou urge me to conceal? "I know the Pacha's haughty mood "To thee hath never boded good; "And he so often storms at nought, “Allah! forbid that e'er he ought! "And why I know not, but within 435 440 'My heart concealment weighs like sin. “If then such secrecy be crime, 445 "And such it feels while lurking here: "Oh, Selim! tell me yet in time, "Nor leave me thus to thoughts of fear. "Ah! yonder see the Tchocadar, (22) "My father leaves the mimic war; "I tremble now to meet his eye "Say, Selim, can'st thou tell me why?" 450 XIV. "Zuleika-to thy tower's retreat "Betake thee-Giaffir I can greet: "And now with him I fain must prate 455 "Of firmans, imposts, levies, state. "Our Vizier nobly thins his ranks, "There's fearful news from Danube's banks, "For which the Giaour may give him thanks! "Our Sultan hath a shorter way 460 "Such costly triumph to repay. "But, mark me, when the twilight drum "Hath warn'd the troops to food and sleep, "To list our words, or stint our time; "And if he doth, I want not steel 470 "Which some have felt, and more may feel. "Then shalt thou learn of Selim more "Than thou hast heard or thought before; "Trust me, Zuleika-fear not me! "Thou know'st I hold a Haram key." 475 "Fear thee, my Selim! ne'er till now "Did word like this-" "Delay not thou; |