v. No sound from Selim's lip was heard, And started; for within his eye "Come hither, boy-what, no reply? As sneeringly these accents fell, That eye return'd him glance for glance, And proudly to his sire's was raised, Till Giaffir's quail'd and shrunk askanceAnd why—he felt, but durst not tell. "Much I misdoubt this wayward boy "Will one day work me more annoy : "And scarcely in the chase 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. "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' hynin it meets mine ear: "She is the offspring of my choice; "Oh! more than ev'n her mother dear, "With all to hope, and nought to fear'My Peri! ever welcome here! 66 "Sweet, as the desert fountain's wave "To lips just cool'd in time to save"Such to my longing sight art thou; "Nor can they waft to Mecca's shrine "More thanks for life, than I for thine, "Who blest thy birth, and bless thee now." VI. Fair, as the first that fell of womankind, When on that dread yet lovely serpent smiling, Whose image then was stamp'd upon her mindBut once beguiled—and ever more beguiling; Dazzling, as that, oh! too transcendent 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; Was she-the daughter of that rude old Chief, Who met the maid with tears-but not of grief. Who hath not proved how feebly words essay The mind, the Music breathing from her face, (6) Her graceful arms in meekness bending Not that against her fancied weal Ambition tore the links apart. VOL. II. T VII. "Zuleika! child of gentleness! "How dear this very day must tell, "When I forget my own distress, "In losing what I love so well, "To bid thee with another dwell: "Another! and a braver man "Was never seen in 'battle's van. "We Moslem reck not much of blood; "But yet the line of Carasman (7) "Unchanged, unchangeable hath stood "First of the bold Timariot bands "That won and well can keep their lands. "Enough that he who comes to woo "Is kinsman of the Bey Oglou : "His years need scarce a thought employ; "I would not have thee wed a boy. "And thou shalt have a noble dower: "And his and my united power "Will laugh to scorn the death-firman, "Which others tremble but to scan, "And teach the messenger (8) what fate "The bearer of such boon may wait. "And now thou know'st thy father's will; "All that thy sex hath need to know: "'Twas mine to teach obedience still"The way to love, thy lord may show." VIII. In silence bow'd the virgin's head; And changed her cheek from pale to red, Thrice clapp'd his hands, and call'd his steed, (9) With Maugrabee (11) and Mamaluke, To witness many an active deed IX.. His head was leant upon his hand, His eye look'd o'er the dark blue water |