"I knew our sire at times was stern,
"But this from thee had yet to learn-
"Too well I know he loves thee not,
"But is Zuleika's love forgot?
"Ah! deem I right? the Pacha's plan-
"This kinsman Bey of Carasman

Perhaps may prove some foe of thine-
"If so I swear by Mecca's shrine,
"If shrines, that ne'er approach allow
"To woman's step, admit her vow-
"Without thy free consent, command-
"The Sultan should not have my hand!
"Think'st thou that I could bear to part
"With thee-and learn to halve my heart?
"Ah! were I severed from thy side,
"Where were thy friend-and who my guide?
"Years have not seen-Time shall not see
"The hour that tears my soul from thee—
"Even Azrael 18 from his deadly quiver

"When flies that shaft-and fly it must"That parts all else-shall doom for ever

"Our hearts to undivided dust!"

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320

XII.

He lived-he breathed-he moved-he felt-
He raised the maid from where she knelt-
His trance was gone-his keen eye shone
With thoughts that long in darkness dwelt→
With thoughts that burn-in rays that melt.-
As the stream late concealed

By the fringe of its willows

When it rushes revealed

In the light of its billows,

As the bolt bursts on high

From the black cloud that bound it

Flash'd the soul of that eye

Through the long lashes round it.
A warhorse at the trumpet's sound,
A lion roused by heedless hound;
A tyrant waked to sudden strife
By graze of ill-directed knife,

Starts not to more convulsive life

Than he, who heard that vow, displayed,
And all, before repressed, betrayed.

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340

"Now thou art mine, for ever mine,

"With life to keep, and scarce with life resign;— "Now thou art mine, that sacred oath,

"Though sworn by one, hath bound us both. "Yes, fondly, wisely hast thou done,

"That vow hath saved more heads than one :-
"But blench not thou-thy simplest tress
"Claims more from me than tenderness;
"I would not wrong the slenderest hair
"That clusters round thy forehead fair,
"For all the treasures buried far
"Within the caves of Istakar. 19
"This morning clouds upon me lowered,
"Reproaches on my head were showered,
"And Giaffir almost called me coward!
"Now I have motive to be brave,
"The son of his neglected slave:

"Nay, start not-'twas the term he gave-
"May shew, though little apt to vaunt,
"A heart his words nor deeds can daunt.
"His son, indeed!-yet, thanks to thee;
"Perchance I am, at least shall be;

350

260

"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
"Holds not a Musselim's 20 control;

21

"Was he not bred in Egripo? 11 "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;

"Think not I am what I

appear,

"I've arms, and friends, and vengeance near."

XIII.

"Think not thou art what thou appearest!

My Selim, thou art sadly changed;

"This morn I saw thee gentlest, dearest,

"But now thou'rt from thyself estranged.

My love thou surely knew'st before,

"It ne'er was less nor can be more.

"To see thee, hear thee, near thee stay, "And hate the night I know not why, "Save that we meet not but by day—

"With thee to live, with thee to die, "I dare not to my hope deny : "Thy cheek, thine eyes, thy lips to kiss, "Like this-and this-no more than this, "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-
"More can I do? or thou require ?
"But, Selim, thou must answer why

"We need so much of mystery?

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