Trust me, Zuleika-fear not me! Thou know'st I hold a harem key." "Fear thee, my Selim! ne'er till now Did word like this-" "Delay not thou; I keep the key-and Haroun's guard The Bride of Abydos. CANTO THE SECOND. THE winds are high on Helle's wave, And shrieking sea-birds warn'd him home; His ear but rang with Hero s song, "Ye waves divide not lovers long!" That tale is old, but love anew May nerve young hearts to prove as true. II. The winds are high, and Helle's tide Rolls darkly heaving to the main ; And Night's descending shadows hide That field with blood bedew'd in vain; The desert of old Priam's pride; The tombs, sole relics of his reign, All-save immortal dreams that could be guile The blind old man of Scio's rocky isle! III. Oh! yet-for there my steps have been; These feet have press'd the sacred shore, These limbs that buoyant wave hath borneMinstrel! with thee to muse, to mourn, To trace again those fields of yore, Believing every hillock green Contains no fabled hero's ashes, And that around the undoubted scene Thine own "broad Hellespont" 23 still Be long my lot! and cold were he [dashes, Who there could gaze denying thee! IV. The night hath closed on Helle's stream, That moon, which shone on his high theme; But conscious shepherds bless it still. Their flocks are grazing on the mound Of him who felt the Dardan's arrow; That mighty heap of gather'd ground Which Ammon's 24 son ran proudly round, By nations rais'd, by monarchs crown'd, Is now a lone and nameless barrow! Within-thy dwelling-place how narrow! Without-can only strangers breathe The name of him that was beneath. Dust long outlasts the storied stone; Late, late to night will Dian cheer May shape the course of struggling skiff; Is glimmering in Zuleika's tower. Yes! there is light in that lone chamber, And o'er her silken Ottoman Are thrown the fragrant beads of amber, Near these, with emerald rays beset, Whereon engraved the Koorsee text, Could smooth this life, and win the next; |