710 XIV. “When Paswan, after years of strife, 66 They gave their horsetails (32) to the wind, "And mustering in Sophia's plain "Their tents were pitch'd, their post assign'd; “To one, alas! assign'd in vain! "What need of words? the deadly bowl, 715 66 By Giaffir's order drugg'd and given, "With venom subtle as his soul, 720 "Dismiss'd Abdallah's hence to heaven. "Reclined and feverish in the bath, "But little deem'd a brother's wrath "He, when the hunter's sport was up, "To quench his thirst had such a cup: 725 "The bowl a bribed attendant bore; “He drank one draught, (33) nor needed more! "If thou my tale, Zuleika, doubt, "Call Haroun-he can tell it out. XV. "The deed once done, and Paswan's feud 730 "In part suppress'd, though ne'er subdued, "Abdallah's Pachalick was gain'd: "Thou know'st not what in our Divan "Can wealth procure for worse than man"Abdallah's honours were obtain'd 735 "By him a brother's murder stain'd; ""Tis true, the purchase nearly drain'd "His ill got treasure, soon replaced. “Would'st question whence? Survey the waste, 740 "And ask the squalid peasant how 66 Why me the stern usurper spared, 66 Why thus with me his palace shared, "I know not. Shame, regret, remorse, "By him whom Heaven accorded none, 745 "Preserved me thus ;-but not in peace: "He cannot curb his haughty mood, 750 "Nor I forgive a father's blood. XVI. "Within thy father's house are foes; 755 "But Haroun only knows, or knew "This tale, whose close is almost nigh: "He in Abdallah's palace grew, "And held that post in his Serai 760 "Which holds he here-he saw him die: "But what could single slavery do? 66 Avenge his lord? alas! too late; "Or save his son from such a fate? "He chose the last, and when elate 765 "With foes subdued, or friends betray'd, "Proud Giaffir in high triumph sate, "He led me helpless to his gate, 770 "To save the life for which he pray'd. "The knowledge of my birth secured "From all and each, but most from me; "Thus Giaffir's safety was ensured. "Removed he too from Roumelie 775 "To this our Asiatic side, "Far from our seats by Danube's tide, "With none but Haroun, who retains "Such knowledge-and that Nubian feels 780 "A tyrant's secrets are but chains, "From which the captive gladly steals, "And this and more to me reveals: "Such still to guilt just Alla sends "Slaves, tools, accomplices-no friends! XVII. “All this, Zuleika, harshly sounds; 785 "But harsher still my tale must be: "Howe'er my tongue thy softness wounds, "Yet I must prove all truth to thee. "I saw thee start this garb to see, "Yet is it one I oft have worn, "And long must wear: this Galiongee, "To whom thy plighted vow is sworn, 790 "Is leader of those pirate hordes, "Whose laws and lives are on their swords; "To hear whose desolating tale 795 "Would make thy waning cheek more pale: "Those arms thou see'st my band have brought, "The hands that wield are not remote; "This cup too for the rugged knaves "Is fill'd—once quaff'd, they ne'er repine: 800 "Our Prophet might forgive the slaves; "What could I be? Proscribed at home, "And taunted to a wish to roam; "And listless left-for Giaffir's fear "Denied the courser and the spear 66 Though oft-Oh, Mahomet! how oft!“In full Divan the despot scoff'd, 805 "As if my weak unwilling hand "And pent me here untried-unknown; 66 By hope unblest, of fame bereft. 810 "While thou-whose softness long endear'd, 815 "Though it unmann'd me, still had cheer'd— "To Brusa's walls for safety sent, "Awaited'st there the field's event. “ Haroun, who saw my spirit pining 820 "On promise to return before "The day when Giaffir's charge was o'er. 825 "Survey'd Earth, Ocean, Sun and Sky, "As if my spirit pierced them through, "And all their inmost wonders knew! 830 "One word alone can paint to thee XIX. shallop of a trusty Moor 'd me from this idle shore; 835 |