"That none can pierce that secret bower "But those who watch the women's tower." 80 IV. "Son of a slave-the Pacha said- "From unbelieving mother bred, "Vain were a father's hope to see Aught that beseems a man in thee. Thou, when thine arm should bend the bow, "And hurl the dart, and curb the steed, “Thou Greek in soul, if not in creed, "Must pore where babbling waters flow, "And watch unfolding roses blow. "Would that yon orb, whose matin glow 66 'Thy listless eyes so much admire, 66 By Christian cannon piecemeal rent— Nay, tamely view old Stambol's wall "Before the dogs of Moscow fall— "Nor strike one stroke for life and death 90 "Go-let thy less than woman's hand "Assume the distaff-not the brand. "But, Haroun !-to my daughter speed "And hark-of thine own head take heed— "If thus Zuleika oft takes wing "Thou see'st yon bow-it hath a string!" V. No sound from Selim's lip was heard, "Son of a slave !-reproached with fear "Those gibes had cost another dear. "Son of a slave!-and who my sire ?" Thus held his thoughts their dark career, And glances even of more than ire Flash forth-then faintly disappear. Old Giaffir gazed upon his son And started-for within his eye "Come hither, boy-what, no reply ? 100 110 "I mark thee-and I know thee too; As sneeringly these accents fell, That eye returned him glance for glance, Till Giaffir's quailed and shrunk askance— And why-he felt, but durst not tell.— "Much I misdoubt this wayward boy "Will one day work me more annoy"I never loved him from his birth, "And-but his arm is little worth, "And scarcely in the chace could cope "With timid fawn or antelope, "Far less would venture into strife "Where man contends for fame and life "I would not trust that look or tone "No-nor the blood so near my own 120 130 140 "That blood-he hath not heard-no more "I'll watch him closer than before "He is an Arab 5 to my sight, "Or Christian crouching in the fight.— "But hark!-I hear Zuleika's voice, "Like Houris' hymn it meets mine ear; "She is the offspring of my choice "Oh! more than even her mother dear, "With all to hope, and nought to fear, "Who blest thy birth, and bless thee now." 150 VI. Fair-as the first that fell of womankind When on that dread yet lovely serpent smiling, Whose image then was stamped upon her mind— But once beguiled—and ever more beguiling; 160 Dazzling as that, oh! too transcendant vision To Sorrow's phantom-peopled slumber given, When heart meets heart again in dreams Elysian, And paints the lost on Earth revived in Heaven— Soft-as the memory of buried love— Pure as the prayer which Childhood wafts above- Who hath not proved-how feebly words essay Such was Zuleika-such around her shone The nameless charms unmarked by her alone— The light of love-the purity of grace The mind-the Music breathing from her face!" 170 The heart whose softness harmonized the whole- 180 |