Then rose his band to duty—not from sleep Equipp'd for deeds alike on land or deep; While lean'd their leader o'er the fretting flood, And calmly talk'd—and yet he talk'd of blood! THE CORSAIR. CANTO THE SECOND. "Conosceste i dubiosi desiri?" DANTE. I. IN Coron's bay floats many a galley light, 11. High in his hall reclines the turban'd Seyd; On silken couch than o'er the rugged deep; nor combat till they must, And less to conquest than to Korans trust; And yet the numbers crowded in his host Might warrant more than even the Pacha's boast. (*) With cautious reverence from the outer gate (1) Coffee. (2) Pipe. (3) Dancing girls. (4) It has been objected that Conrad's entering disguised as a spy is out of nature. Perhaps so. I find something not unlike it in history. "Anxious to explore with his own eyes the state of the Vandals, Majorian ventured, after disguising the colour of his hair, to visit Carthage in the character of his own ambassador; and Genseric was afterwards mortified by the discovery, that he had entertained and dismissed the Emperor of the Romans. Such an anecdote may be rejected as an improbable fiction; but it is a fiction which would not have been imagined unless in the life of a hero." Gibbon, D. and F. vol. vi. p. 180. That Conrad is a character not altogether out of nature, I shall attempt to prove by some historical coincidences which I have met with since writting "The Corsair." * * * * * "Eccelin prisonnier," dit Rolandini, "s enfermoit dans un silence menaçant, il fixoit sur la terre son visage féroce, et ne donnoit point d'essor à sa profonde indignation. De toutes partes cependant les soldats et les peuples accouroient; ils vouloient voir cet homme, jadis si puissant, et la joie universelle éclatoit de toutes partes. "Eccelin étoit d'une petite taille; mais tout l'aspect de sa personne, tous ses mouvemens, indiquoient un soldat. -Son langage étoit amer, son déportement superbe -- et par son seul égard, il faisoit trembler les plus hardis.". Sismondi, tome iii. p. 219, 220. Again," Gizericus (Genseric, king of the Vandals, the conqueror of both Carthage and Rome) staturâ mediocris, et equi casu claudicans, animo profundus, sermone rarus, luxuriæ contemptor, ira turbidus, habendi cupidus, ad solicitandas gentes providentissimus," &c. &c. Jornandes de Rebus Geticis, c. 33. I beg leave to quote these gloomy realities to keep in countenance my Giaour and Corsair. He took the sign from Seyd's assenting eye, His arms were folded on his dark-green vest, And these his lofty cap rose proudly o'er : Thy capture where and when?" "From Scalanovo's port to Scio's isle, The Saick was bound; but Alla did not smile "How speed the outlaws? stand they well prepared, To view with fire their scorpion nest consumed?" "Pacha! the fetter'd captive's mourning eye, That weeps for flight, but ill can play the spy; I only heard the reckless waters roar, Those waves that would not bear me from the shore; Too bright too blue And felt for my captivity; that all which Freedom's bosom cheers, - Else vainly had I pray'd or sought the chance 46 obey! More I must ask, and food the slaves shall bring ; Thou shalt not pine where all are banqueting : The done supper prepare thee to reply, Clearly and full - I love not mystery." 'T were vain to guess what shook the pious man, 66 What ails thee, Dervise? eat-dost thou suppose This feast a Christian's? or my friends thy foes? Why dost thou shun the salt? that sacred pledge, Which, once partaken, blunts the sabre's edge, Makes even contending tribes in peace unite, And hated hosts seem brethren to the sight!" "Salt seasons dainties—and my food is still But for thy sway - nay more — thy Sultan's throne, I taste nor bread nor banquet save alone; Infringed our order's rule, the Prophet's rage To Mecca's dome might bar my pilgrimage." (1) The dervises are in colleges, and of different orders, as the monks. |