XIV. " When Paswan, after years of strife, " At last for power, but first for life, " In Widin's walls too proudly sate, 6 Our Pachas rallied round the state ; “ Nor last nor least in high command " Each brother led a separate band; “ They gave their horsetails (32) to the wind, “ And mustering in Sophia's plain 715 6 Their tents were pitch'd, their post assign'd; “ To one, alas! assign'd in vain ! “ What need of words ? the deadly bowl, “ By Giaffir's order drugg'd and given, 66 With venom subtle as his soul, 720 “ Dismiss'd Abdallah's hence to heaven. “Reclined and feverish in the bath, “ He, when the hunter's sport was up, “ But little deem'd a brother's wrath “ 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. 730 “ The deed once done, and Paswan's feud II “ Abdallah's Pachalick was gain'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, “ And ask the squalid peasant how 740 “ His gains repay his broiling brow! “ Why me the stern usurper spared, “ Why thus with me his palace shared, “ I know not. Shame, regret, remorse, “ And little fear from infant's force; 745 6 Besides, adoption as a son “ By him whom Heaven accorded none, “ Or some unknown cabal, caprice, “ 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 ; “ Not all who break his bread are true: “ To these should I my birth disclose, “ His days, his very hours were few: “ They only want a heart to lead, “ A hand to point them to the deed. .. “ 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 " Which holds he here-he saw him die: “ But what could single slavery do ? “ Avenge his lord ? alas! too late; “ Or save his son from such a fate? “ He chose the last, and when elate " With foes subdued, or friends betray'd, Proud Giaffir in high triumph sate, “ He led me helpless to his gate, " And not in vain it seems essay'd “ 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. 6 Removed he too from Roumelie 66 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 “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, 790 “ And long must wear: this Galiongee, “ To whom thy plighted vow is sworn, “ Is leader of those pirate hordes, “ Whose laws and lives are on their swords ; “ To hear whose desolating tale “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 filld-once quaff'd, they ne'er repine: 800 “Our Prophet might forgive the slaves; “ They're only infidels in wine. XVIII. “ 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“ Though oft-Oh, Mahomet! how oft!-“ In full Divan the despot scoff’d, VOL. II. “ As if my weak unwilling hand 810 “ He ever went to wår alone, “ And pent me here untried-unknown; “ To Haroun's care with women left, “ By hope unblest, of fame bereft. “ 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 “ Beneath inaction's sluggish yoke, “ His captive, though with dread resigning, “ My thraldom for a season broke, “ On promise to return before “ The day when Giaffir's charge was o'er. “ 'Tis vain-my tongue can not impart 825 “ My almost drunkenness of heart, “ When first this liberated eye “ 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 “ That more than feeling- I was Free! “ E'en for thy presence ceased to pine; “ The World-nay-Heaven itself was mine! XIX. “ The shallop of a trusty Moor “ Convey'd me from this idle shore; |