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. “ There's fearful news from Danube's banks, “ Our Vizier nobly thins his ranks, “ 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, “ Unto thy cell will Selim come:

“ Then softly from the Haram creep 465 “ Where we may wander by the deep;

“ Our garden battlements are steep ; “ Nor these will rash intruder climb “ 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;

I keep the key—and Haroun's guard “ Have some, and hope of more reward. « To-night, Zuleika, thou shalt hear “ My tale, my purpose, and my fear: 6 I am not, love! what I appear."

480

END OF CANTO I.

BRIDE OF ABYDOS.

CANTO II.

I.

485

490

THE winds are high on Helle's wave,

As on that night of stormy water
When Love, who sent, forgot to save
The young, the beautiful, the brave,

The lonely hope of Sestos' daughter.
Oh! when alone along the sky
Her turret-torch was blazing high,
Though rising gale, and breaking foam,
And shrieking sea-birds warn'd him home;
And clouds aloft and tides below,
With signs and sounds, forbade to go,
He could not see, he would not hear
Or sound or sign foreboding fear;
His
eye

but saw that light of love,
The only star it hail'd above;
His ear but

rang

with Hero's song, “ Ye waves, divide not lovers long !"That tale is old, but love anew May nerve young hearts to prove as true.

VOL. II.

495

500

D

II.

505

The winds are high, and Helle's tide

Rolls darkly heaving to the main ; And Night's descending shadows hide

That field with blood bedew'd in vain,
The desert of old Priam's pride;

The tombs, sole relics of his reign,
All—-save immortal dreams that could beguile
The blind old man of Scio's rocky isle!

III.

Oh! yet-for there my steps have been; 510

These feet have press'd the sacred shore, These limbs that buoyant wave hath borneMinstrel! with thee to muse, to mourn,

To trace again those fields of yore, Believing every hillock green

515 Contains no fabled hero's ashes, And that around the undoubted scene

Thine own“ broad Hellesport" (23) still dashes, Be long my lot! and cold were he Who there could gaze denying thee!

520

IV.

The night hath closed on Helle's stream,

Nor yet hath risen on Ida's hill
That moon, which shone on his high theme:
No warrior chides her peaceful beam,

But conscious shepherds bless it still,

525