There's fearful news from banks, Danube's And Night's descending shadows hide That field with blood bedew'd in vain, Our Vizier nobly thins his ranks, For which the Giaour may give him Our Sultan hath a shorter way But, mark me, when the twilight drum Unto thy cell will Selim come: Then softly from the Haram creep Which some have felt, and more may feel. Then shalt thou learn of Selim more "Delay not thou: I keep the key-and Haroun's guard Have some, and hope of more reward. To-night, Zuleika, thou shalt hear My tale, my purpose, and my fear : I am not, love! what I appear." The night hath closed on Helle's stream, No warrior chides her peaceful beam 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 son ran proudly round, By nations raised, by monarchs crown'd, Is now a lone and nameless barrow ! Within-thy dwelling-place how narrow! Without-can only strangers breathe Late, late to-night will Dian cheer Till then-no beacon on the cliff Her eye on stranger objects fell. But brands of foreign blade and hilt, His robe of pride was thrown aside, His brow no high-crown'd turban bore. But in its stead a shawl of red, Wreathed lightly round, his temples wore: That dagger, on whose hilt the gem But were it not that high command "I said I was not what I seem'd ; I have a tale thou hast not dream'd, In this I speak not now of love; "Oh! not my brother!-yet unsay- 1 A Turkish sailor. Thy sister-friend-Zuleika still. hou led'st me here perchance to kill ; If thou hast cause for vengeance, see! ly breast is offer'd-take thy fill! Far better with the dead to be Than live thus nothing now to thee! 'erhaps far worse, for now I know Why Giaffir alway seem'd thy foe; And I, alas! am Giaffir's child, or whom thou wert contemn'd, reviled. f not thy sister-wouldst thou save ly life, oh! bid me be thy slave!" My slave, Zuleika !-nay, I'm thine: But, gentle love, this transport calm, hy lot shall yet be link'd with mine; swear it by our Prophet's shrine, And be that thought thy sorrow's balm. o may the Koran verse display'd he name in which thy heart hath prided Must change; but, my Zuleika, know, hat tie is widen'd, not divided, Although thy Sire's my deadliest foe. ly father was to Giaffir all That Selim late was deem'd to thee: hat brother wrought a brother's fall, But spared, at least, my infancy; and lull'd me with a vain deceit hat yet a like return may meet. le rear'd me, not with tender help, But like the nephew of a Cain; le watched me like a lion's whelp, That gnaws and yet may break his chain. My father's blood in every vein s boiling; but for thy dear sake To present vengeance will I take ; Though here I must no more remain. But first, beloved Zuleika ! hear low Giaffir wrought this deed of fear. How first their strife to rancor grew, If love or envy made them foes, t matters little if I knew ; n fiery spirits, slights, though few And thoughtless, will disturb repose. n war Abdallah's arm was strong, Lemember'd yet in Bosniac song, And Paswan's rebel hordes attest How little love they bore such guest: His death is all I need relate, he stern effect of Giaffir's hate; And how my birth disclosed to me, hate er beside it makes, hath made me free. "When Paswan, after years of strife, To one, alas! assign'd in vain! 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 : The bowl a bribed attendant bore; He drank one draught, nor needed more! If thou my tale, Zuleika, doubt, Call Haroun-he can tell it out. "The deed once done, and Paswan's feud By him a brother's murder stain'd; And ask the squalid peasant how By him whom Heaven accorded none, "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 insured. Removed he too from Roumelie Far from our seats by Danube's tide, "All this, Zuleika, harshly sounds; And long must wear: this Galiongée, swords; on their 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 fill'd-once quaff'd, they ne'er repine: Our prophet might forgive the slaves: They're only infidels in wine. "What could I be? Proscribed at home, And pent me here untried-unknown; To Brusa's walls for safety sent, His captive, though with dread resign. ing, My thraldom for a season broke, The day when Giaffir's charge was o'er. mine! "The shallop of a trusty Moor Convey'd me from this idle shore ; I long'd to see the isles that gem Old Ocean's purple diadem: Wa place; find But open speech, and ready hand. Obedience to their chief's command; A soul for every enterprise, That never sees with terror's eyes ; Friendship for each, and faith to all, And vengeance vow'd for those who fa Have made them fitting instrumentFor more than ev'n my own intents. And some-and I have studied all Distinguish'd from the vulgar rank But chiefly to my council call The wisdom of the cautious Frank And some to higher thoughts aspire. The last of Lambro's patriots there Anticipated freedom share ; And oft around the cavern fire On visionary schemes debate, To snatch the Rayabs from their fate. Ay! let me like the ocean-Patriarch roam But be the star that guides the wanderer, Thou! Thou, my Zuleika, share and bless my bark: The Dove of peace and promise to mine ark! Or, since that hope denied in worlds of strife. Be thou the rainbow to the storms of life! The evening beam that smiles the clouds away, And tints to-morrow with prophetic ray! Blest-as the Muezzin's strain from Mecca's wall To pilgrims pure and prostrate at his call: Soft as the melody of youthful days, That steals the trembling tear of speechless praise; Dear-as his native song to Exile's ears, Stall sound each tone thy long-loved voice endears. For thee in those bright isles is built a bower Blooming as Aden in its earliest hour. command! When cities cage us in a social home: There ev'n thy soul might err-how oft the heart Corruption shakes which peril could not part! And woman, more than man, when death or woe, Or even Disgrace, would lay her lover low, Sunk in the lap of Luxury will shame--Away suspicion !-not Zuleika's name! But life is hazard at the best; and here No more remains to win, and much to fear: Yes, fear! the doubt, the dread of losing thee, By Osman's power, and Giaffir's stern decree. That dread shall vanish with the favouring gale, Which Love to-night hath promised to my sail : No danger daunts the pair his smile hath blest, Their steps still roving, but their hearts at rest. With thee all toils are sweet, each clime hath charms; Earth-sea alike-our world within our arms! Ay-let the loud winds whistle o'er the deck, So that those arms cling closer round my neck: |