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The Corsair: A Tale[;] Canto the Second

  1. 1"Conosceste i dubbiosi desiri?"
Dante, Inferno, v, 120.
  1. 2In Coron's bay floats many a galley light,
  2. 3Through Coron's lattices the lamps are bright,
  3. 4For Seyd, the Pacha, makes a feast to-night:
  4. 5A feast for promised triumph yet to come,
  5. 6When he shall drag the fettered Rovers home;
  6. 7This hath he sworn by Allah and his sword,
  7. 8And faithful to his firman and his word,
  8. 9His summoned prows collect along the coast,
  9. 10And great the gathering crews, and loud the boast;
  10. 11Already shared the captives and the prize,
  11. 12Though far the distant foe they thus despise;
  12. 13'Tis but to sail--no doubt to-morrow's Sun
  13. 14Will see the Pirates bound--their haven won!
  14. 15Meantime the watch may slumber, if they will,
  15. 16Nor only wake to war, but dreaming kill.
  16. 17Though all, who can, disperse on shore and seek
  17. 18To flesh their glowing valour on the Greek;
  18. 19How well such deed becomes the turbaned brave--
  19. 20To bare the sabre's edge before a slave!
  20. 21Infest his dwelling--but forbear to slay,
  21. 22Their arms are strong, yet merciful to-day,
  22. 23And do not deign to smite because they may!
  23. 24Unless some gay caprice suggests the blow,
  24. 25To keep in practice for the coming foe.
  25. 26Revel and rout the evening hours beguile,
  26. 27And they who wish to wear a head must smile;
  27. 28For Moslem mouths produce their choicest cheer,
  28. 29And hoard their curses, till the coast is clear.
  1. 30High in his hall reclines the turbaned Seyd;
  2. 31Around--the bearded chiefs he came to lead.
  3. 32Removed the banquet, and the last pilaff--
  4. 33Forbidden draughts, 'tis said, he dared to quaff,
  5. 34Though to the rest the sober berry's juice
  6. 35The slaves bear round for rigid Moslems' use;
  7. 36The long chibouque's dissolving cloud supply,
  8. 37While dance the Almas to wild minstrelsy.
  9. 38The rising morn will view the chiefs embark;
  10. 39But waves are somewhat treacherous in the dark:
  11. 40And revellers may more securely sleep
  12. 41On silken couch than o'er the rugged deep:
  13. 42Feast there who can--nor combat till they must,
  14. 43And less to conquest than to Korans trust;
  15. 44And yet the numbers crowded in his host
  16. 45Might warrant more than even the Pacha's boast.
  1. 46With cautious reverence from the outer gate
  2. 47Slow stalks the slave, whose office there to wait,
  3. 48Bows his bent head--his hand salutes the floor,
  4. 49Ere yet his tongue the trusted tidings bore:
  5. 50"A captive Dervise, from the Pirate's nest
  6. 51Escaped, is here--himself would tell the rest."
  7. 52He took the sign from Seyd's assenting eye,
  8. 53And led the holy man in silence nigh.
  9. 54His arms were folded on his dark-green vest,
  10. 55His step was feeble, and his look deprest;
  11. 56Yet worn he seemed of hardship more than years,
  12. 57And pale his cheek with penance, not from fears.
  13. 58Vowed to his God--his sable locks he wore,
  14. 59And these his lofty cap rose proudly o'er:
  15. 60Around his form his loose long robe was thrown,
  16. 61And wrapt a breast bestowed on heaven alone;
  17. 62Submissive, yet with self-possession manned,
  18. 63He calmly met the curious eyes that scanned;
  19. 64And question of his coming fain would seek,
  20. 65Before the Pacha's will allowed to speak.
  1. 66"Whence com'st thou, Dervise?"
  2. 67"From the Outlaw's den
  3. 68A fugitive--"
  4. 69"Thy capture where and when?"
  5. 70"From Scalanova's port to Scio's isle,
  6. 71The Saick was bound; but Allah did not smile
  7. 72Upon our course--the Moslem merchant's gains
  8. 73The Rovers won; our limbs have worn their chains.
  9. 74I had no death to fear, nor wealth to boast,
  10. 75Beyond the wandering freedom which I lost;
  11. 76At length a fisher's humble boat by night
  12. 77Afforded hope, and offered chance of flight;
  13. 78I seized the hour, and find my safety here--
  14. 79With thee--most mighty Pacha! who can fear?"
  1. 80"How speed the outlaws? stand they well prepared,
  2. 81Their plundered wealth, and robber's rock, to guard?
  3. 82Dream they of this our preparation, doomed
  4. 83To view with fire their scorpion nest consumed?"
  1. 84"Pacha! the fettered captive's mourning eye,
  2. 85That weeps for flight, but ill can play the spy;
  3. 86I only heard the reckless waters roar,
  4. 87Those waves that would not bear me from the shore;
  5. 88I only marked the glorious Sun and sky,
  6. 89Too bright--too blue--for my captivity;
  7. 90And felt that all which Freedom's bosom cheers
  8. 91Must break my chain before it dried my tears.
  9. 92This mayst thou judge, at least, from my escape,
  10. 93They little deem of aught in Peril's shape;
  11. 94Else vainly had I prayed or sought the Chance
  12. 95That leads me here--if eyed with vigilance:
  13. 96The careless guard that did not see me fly,
  14. 97May watch as idly when thy power is nigh.
  15. 98Pacha! my limbs are faint--and nature craves
  16. 99Food for my hunger, rest from tossing waves:
  17. 100Permit my absence--peace be with thee! Peace
  18. 101With all around!--now grant repose--release."
  1. 102"Stay, Dervise! I have more to question--stay,
  2. 103I do command thee--sit--dost hear?--obey!
  3. 104More I must ask, and food the slaves shall bring;
  4. 105Thou shall not pine where all are banqueting:
  5. 106The supper done--prepare thee to reply,
  6. 107Clearly and full--I love not mystery."
  7. 108'Twere vain to guess what shook the pious man,
  8. 109Who looked not lovingly on that Divan;
  9. 110Nor showed high relish for the banquet prest,
  10. 111And less respect for every fellow guest.
  11. 112Twas but a moment's peevish hectic passed
  12. 113Along his cheek, and tranquillised as fast:
  13. 114He sate him down in silence, and his look
  14. 115Resumed the calmness which before forsook:
  15. 116The feast was ushered in--but sumptuous fare
  16. 117He shunned as if some poison mingled there.
  17. 118For one so long condemned to toil and fast,
  18. 119Methinks he strangely spares the rich repast.
  19. 120"What ails thee, Dervise? eat--dost thou suppose
  20. 121This feast a Christian's? or my friends thy foes?
  21. 122Why dost thou shun the salt? that sacred pledge,
  22. 123Which, once partaken, blunts the sabre's edge,
  23. 124Makes even contending tribes in peace unite,
  24. 125And hated hosts seem brethren to the sight!"
  1. 126"Salt seasons dainties--and my food is still
  2. 127The humblest root, my drink the simplest rill;
  3. 128And my stern vow and Order's laws oppose
  4. 129To break or mingle bread with friends or foes;
  5. 130It may seem strange--if there be aught to dread
  6. 131That peril rests upon my single head;
  7. 132But for thy sway--nay more--thy Sultan's throne,
  8. 133I taste nor bread nor banquet--save alone;
  9. 134Infringed our Order's rule, the Prophet's rage
  10. 135To Mecca's dome might bar my pilgrimage."
  1. 136"Well--as thou wilt--ascetic as thou art--
  2. 137One question answer; then in peace depart.
  3. 138How many?--Ha! it cannot sure be day?
  4. 139What Star--what Sun is bursting on the bay?
  5. 140It shines a lake of fire!--away--away!
  6. 141Ho! treachery! my guards! my scimitar!
  7. 142The galleys feed the flames--and I afar!
  8. 143Accurséd Dervise!--these thy tidings--thou
  9. 144Some villain spy--seize--cleave him--slay him now!"
  1. 145Up rose the Dervise with that burst of light,
  2. 146Nor less his change of form appalled the sight:
  3. 147Up rose that Dervise--not in saintly garb,
  4. 148But like a warrior bounding on his barb,
  5. 149Dashed his high cap, and tore his robe away--
  6. 150Shone his mailed breast, and flashed his sabre's ray!
  7. 151His close but glittering casque, and sable plume,
  8. 152More glittering eye, and black brow's sabler gloom,
  9. 153Glared on the Moslems' eyes some Afrit Sprite,
  10. 154Whose demon death-blow left no hope for fight.
  11. 155The wild confusion, and the swarthy glow
  12. 156Of flames on high, and torches from below;
  13. 157The shriek of terror, and the mingling yell--
  14. 158For swords began to clash, and shouts to swell--
  15. 159Flung o'er that spot of earth the air of Hell!
  16. 160Distracted, to and fro, the flying slaves
  17. 161Behold but bloody shore and fiery waves;
  18. 162Nought heeded they the Pacha's angry cry,
  19. 163They seize that Dervise!--seize on Zatanai!
  20. 164He saw their terror--checked the first despair
  21. 165That urged him but to stand and perish there,
  22. 166Since far too early and too well obeyed,
  23. 167The flame was kindled ere the signal made;
  24. 168He saw their terror--from his baldric drew
  25. 169His bugle--brief the blast--but shrilly blew;
  26. 170'Tis answered--"Well ye speed, my gallant crew!
  27. 171Why did I doubt their quickness of career?
  28. 172And deem design had left me single here?"
  29. 173Sweeps his long arm--that sabre's whirling sway
  30. 174Sheds fast atonement for its first delay;
  31. 175Completes his fury, what their fear begun,
  32. 176And makes the many basely quail to one.
  33. 177The cloven turbans o'er the chamber spread,
  34. 178And scarce an arm dare rise to guard its head:
  35. 179Even Seyd, convulsed, o'erwhelmed, with rage, surprise,
  36. 180Retreats before him, though he still defies.
  37. 181No craven he--and yet he dreads the blow,
  38. 182So much Confusion magnifies his foe!
  39. 183His blazing galleys still distract his sight,
  40. 184He tore his beard, and foaming fled the fight;
  41. 185For now the pirates passed the Haram gate,
  42. 186And burst within--and it were death to wait;
  43. 187Where wild Amazement shrieking--kneeling--throws
  44. 188The sword aside--in vain--the blood o'erflows!
  45. 189The Corsairs pouring, haste to where within
  46. 190Invited Conrad's bugle, and the din
  47. 191Of groaning victims, and wild cries for life,
  48. 192Proclaimed how well he did the work of strife.
  49. 193They shout to find him grim and lonely there,
  50. 194A glutted tiger mangling in his lair!
  51. 195But short their greeting, shorter his reply--
  52. 196"'Tis well--but Seyd escapes--and he must die--
  53. 197Much hath been done--but more remains to do--
  54. 198Their galleys blaze--why not their city too?"
  1. 199Quick at the word they seized him each a torch,
  2. 200And fire the dome from minaret to porch.
  3. 201A stern delight was fixed in Conrad's eye,
  4. 202But sudden sunk--for on his ear the cry
  5. 203Of women struck, and like a deadly knell
  6. 204Knocked at that heart unmoved by Battle's yell.
  7. 205"Oh! burst the Haram--wrong not on your lives
  8. 206One female form--remember--we have wives.
  9. 207On them such outrage Vengeance will repay;
  10. 208Man is our foe, and such 'tis ours to slay:
  11. 209But still we spared--must spare the weaker prey.
  12. 210Oh! I forgot--but Heaven will not forgive
  13. 211If at my word the helpless cease to live;
  14. 212Follow who will--I go--we yet have time
  15. 213Our souls to lighten of at least a crime."
  16. 214He climbs the crackling stair--he bursts the door,
  17. 215Nor feels his feet glow scorching with the floor;
  18. 216His breath choked gasping with the volumed smoke,
  19. 217But still from room to room his way he broke.
  20. 218They search--they find--they save: with lusty arms
  21. 219Each bears a prize of unregarded charms;
  22. 220Calm their loud fears; sustain their sinking frames
  23. 221With all the care defenceless Beauty claims:
  24. 222So well could Conrad tame their fiercest mood,
  25. 223And check the very hands with gore imbrued.
  26. 224But who is she? whom Conrad's arms convey,
  27. 225From reeking pile and combat's wreck, away--
  28. 226Who but the love of him he dooms to bleed?
  29. 227The Haram queen--but still the slave of Seyd!
  1. 228Brief time had Conrad now to greet Gulnare,
  2. 229Few words to reassure the trembling Fair;
  3. 230For in that pause Compassion snatched from War,
  4. 231The foe before retiring, fast and far,
  5. 232With wonder saw their footsteps unpursued,
  6. 233First slowlier fled--then rallied--then withstood.
  7. 234This Seyd perceives, then first perceives how few,
  8. 235Compared with his, the Corsair's roving crew,
  9. 236And blushes o'er his error, as he eyes
  10. 237The ruin wrought by Panic and Surprise.
  11. 238Alla il Alla! Vengeance swells the cry--
  12. 239Shame mounts to rage that must atone or die!
  13. 240And flame for flame and blood for blood must tell.
  14. 241The tide of triumph ebbs that flowed too well--
  15. 242When Wrath returns to renovated strife,
  16. 243And those who fought for conquest strike for life.
  17. 244Conrad beheld the danger--he beheld
  18. 245His followers faint by freshening foes repelled:
  19. 246"One effort--one--to break the circling host!"
  20. 247They form--unite--charge--waver--all is lost!
  21. 248Within a narrower ring compressed, beset,
  22. 249Hopeless, not heartless, strive and struggle yet--
  23. 250Ah! now they fight in firmest file no more,
  24. 251Hemmed in--cut off--cleft down and trampled o'er;
  25. 252But each strikes singly--silently--and home,
  26. 253And sinks outwearied rather than o'ercome--
  27. 254His last faint quittance rendering with his breath,
  28. 255Till the blade glimmers in the grasp of Death!
  1. 256But first, ere came the rallying host to blows,
  2. 257And rank to rank, and hand to hand oppose,
  3. 258Gulnare and all her Haram handmaids freed,
  4. 259Safe in the dome of one who held their creed,
  5. 260By Conrad's mandate safely were bestowed,
  6. 261And dried those tears for life and fame that flowed:
  7. 262And when that dark-eyed lady, young Gulnare,
  8. 263Recalled those thoughts late wandering in despair,
  9. 264Much did she marvel o'er the courtesy
  10. 265That smoothed his accents, softened in his eye--
  11. 266'Twas strange--that robber thus with gore bedewed,
  12. 267Seemed gentler then than Seyd in fondest mood.
  13. 268The Pacha wooed as if he deemed the slave
  14. 269Must seem delighted with the heart he gave;
  15. 270The Corsair vowed protection, soothed affright,
  16. 271As if his homage were a Woman's right.
  17. 272"The wish is wrong--nay, worse for female--vain:
  18. 273Yet much I long to view that Chief again;
  19. 274If but to thank for, what my fear forgot,
  20. 275The life--my loving Lord remembered not!"
  1. 276And him she saw, where thickest carnage spread,
  2. 277But gathered breathing from the happier dead;
  3. 278Far from his band, and battling with a host
  4. 279That deem right dearly won the field he lost,
  5. 280Felled--bleeding--baffled of the death he sought,
  6. 281And snatched to expiate all the ills he wrought;
  7. 282Preserved to linger and to live in vain,
  8. 283While Vengeance pondered o'er new plans of pain,
  9. 284And stanched the blood she saves to shed again--
  10. 285But drop by drop, for Seyd's unglutted eye
  11. 286Would doom him ever dying--ne'er to die!
  12. 287Can this be he? triumphant late she saw,
  13. 288When his red hand's wild gesture waved, a law!
  14. 289'Tis he indeed--disarmed but undeprest,
  15. 290His sole regret the life he still possest;
  16. 291His wounds too slight, though taken with that will,
  17. 292Which would have kissed the hand that then could kill.
  18. 293Oh were there none, of all the many given,
  19. 294To send his soul--he scarcely asked to Heaven?
  20. 295Must he alone of all retain his breath,
  21. 296Who more than all had striven and struck for death?
  22. 297He deeply felt--what mortal hearts must feel,
  23. 298When thus reversed on faithless Fortune's wheel,
  24. 299For crimes committed, and the victor's threat
  25. 300Of lingering tortures to repay the debt--
  26. 301He deeply, darkly felt; but evil Pride
  27. 302That led to perpetrate--now serves to hide.
  28. 303Still in his stern and self-collected mien
  29. 304A conqueror's more than captive's air is seen,
  30. 305Though faint with wasting toil and stiffening wound,
  31. 306But few that saw--so calmly gazed around:
  32. 307Though the far shouting of the distant crowd,
  33. 308Their tremors o'er, rose insolently loud,
  34. 309The better warriors who beheld him near,
  35. 310Insulted not the foe who taught them fear;
  36. 311And the grim guards that to his durance led,
  37. 312In silence eyed him with a secret dread.
  1. 313The Leech was sent--but not in mercy--there,
  2. 314To note how much the life yet left could bear;
  3. 315He found enough to load with heaviest chain,
  4. 316And promise feeling for the wrench of Pain;
  5. 317To-morrow--yea--to-morrow's evening Sun
  6. 318Will, sinking, see Impalement's pangs begun,
  7. 319And rising with the wonted blush of morn
  8. 320Behold how well or ill those pangs are borne.
  9. 321Of torments this the longest and the worst,
  10. 322Which adds all other agony to thirst,
  11. 323That day by day Death still forbears to slake,
  12. 324While famished vultures flit around the stake.
  13. 325"Oh! water--water!"--smiling Hate denies
  14. 326The victim's prayer, for if he drinks he dies.
  15. 327This was his doom;--the Leech, the guard, were gone,
  16. 328And left proud Conrad fettered and alone.
  1. 329'Twere vain to paint to what his feelings grew--
  2. 330It even were doubtful if their victim knew.
  3. 331There is a war, a chaos of the mind,
  4. 332When all its elements convulsed, combined
  5. 333Lie dark and jarring with perturbéd force,
  6. 334And gnashing with impenitent Remorse--
  7. 335That juggling fiend, who never spake before,
  8. 336But cries "I warned thee!" when the deed is o'er.
  9. 337Vain voice! the spirit burning but unbent,
  10. 338May writhe--rebel--the weak alone repent!
  11. 339Even in that lonely hour when most it feels,
  12. 340And, to itself, all--all that self reveals,--
  13. 341No single passion, and no ruling thought
  14. 342That leaves the rest, as once, unseen, unsought,
  15. 343But the wild prospect when the Soul reviews,
  16. 344All rushing through their thousand avenues--
  17. 345Ambition's dreams expiring, Love's regret,
  18. 346Endangered Glory, Life itself beset;
  19. 347The joy untasted, the contempt or hate
  20. 348'Gainst those who fain would triumph in our fate;
  21. 349The hopeless past, the hasting future driven
  22. 350Too quickly on to guess if Hell or Heaven;
  23. 351Deeds--thoughts--and words, perhaps remembered not
  24. 352So keenly till that hour, but ne'er forgot;
  25. 353Things light or lovely in their acted time,
  26. 354But now to stern Reflection each a crime;
  27. 355The withering sense of Evil unrevealed,
  28. 356Not cankering less because the more concealed;
  29. 357All, in a word, from which all eyes must start,
  30. 358That opening sepulchre, the naked heart
  31. 359Bares with its buried woes--till Pride awake,
  32. 360To snatch the mirror from the soul, and break.
  33. 361Aye, Pride can veil, and Courage brave it all--
  34. 362All--all--before--beyond--the deadliest fall.
  35. 363Each hath some fear, and he who least betrays,
  36. 364The only hypocrite deserving praise:
  37. 365Not the loud recreant wretch who boasts and flies;
  38. 366But he who looks on Death--and silent dies:
  39. 367So, steeled by pondering o'er his far career,
  40. 368He half-way meets Him should He menace near!
  1. 369In the high chamber of his highest tower
  2. 370Sate Conrad, fettered in the Pacha's power.
  3. 371His palace perished in the flame--this fort
  4. 372Contained at once his captive and his court.
  5. 373Not much could Conrad of his sentence blame,
  6. 374His foe, if vanquished, had but shared the same:--
  7. 375Alone he sate--in solitude had scanned
  8. 376His guilty bosom, but that breast he manned:
  9. 377One thought alone he could not--dared not meet--
  10. 378"Oh, how these tidings will Medora greet?"
  11. 379Then--only then--his clanking hands he raised,
  12. 380And strained with rage the chain on which he gazed;
  13. 381But soon he found, or feigned, or dreamed relief,
  14. 382And smiled in self-derision of his grief,
  15. 383"And now come Torture when it will, or may--
  16. 384More need of rest to nerve me for the day!"
  17. 385This said, with langour to his mat he crept,
  18. 386And, whatso'er his visions, quickly slept.
  1. 387'Twas hardly midnight when that fray begun,
  2. 388For Conrad's plans matured, at once were done,
  3. 389And Havoc loathes so much the waste of time,
  4. 390She scarce had left an uncommitted crime.
  5. 391One hour beheld him since the tide he stemmed--
  6. 392Disguised--discovered--conquering--ta'en--condemned--
  7. 393A Chief on land--an outlaw on the deep--
  8. 394Destroying--saving--prisoned--and asleep!
  1. 395He slept in calmest seeming, for his breath
  2. 396Was hushed so deep--Ah! happy if in death!
  3. 397He slept--Who o'er his placid slumber bends?
  4. 398His foes are gone--and here he hath no friends;
  5. 399Is it some Seraph sent to grant him grace?
  6. 400No,'tis an earthly form with heavenly face!
  7. 401Its white arm raised a lamp--yet gently hid,
  8. 402Lest the ray flash abruptly on the lid
  9. 403Of that closed eye, which opens but to pain,
  10. 404And once unclosed--but once may close again.
  11. 405That form, with eye so dark, and cheek so fair,
  12. 406And auburn waves of gemmed and braided hair;
  13. 407With shape of fairy lightness--naked foot,
  14. 408That shines like snow, and falls on earth as mute--
  15. 409Through guards and dunnest night how came it there?
  16. 410Ah! rather ask what will not Woman dare?
  17. 411Whom Youth and Pity lead like thee, Gulnare!
  18. 412She could not sleep--and while the Pacha's rest
  19. 413In muttering dreams yet saw his pirate-guest,
  20. 414She left his side--his signet-ring she bore,
  21. 415Which oft in sport adorned her hand before--
  22. 416And with it, scarcely questioned, won her way
  23. 417Through drowsy guards that must that sign obey.
  24. 418Worn out with toil, and tired with changing blows,
  25. 419Their eyes had envied Conrad his repose;
  26. 420And chill and nodding at the turret door,
  27. 421They stretch their listless limbs, and watch no more;
  28. 422Just raised their heads to hail the signet-ring,
  29. 423Nor ask or what or who the sign may bring.
  1. 424She gazed in wonder, "Can he calmly sleep,
  2. 425While other eyes his fall or ravage weep?
  3. 426And mine in restlessness are wandering here--
  4. 427What sudden spell hath made this man so dear?
  5. 428True--'tis to him my life, and more, I owe,
  6. 429And me and mine he spared from worse than woe:
  7. 430'Tis late to think--but soft--his slumber breaks--
  8. 431How heavily he sighs!--he starts--awakes!"
  9. 432He raised his head, and dazzled with the light,
  10. 433His eye seemed dubious if it saw aright:
  11. 434He moved his hand--the grating of his chain
  12. 435Too harshly told him that he lived again.
  13. 436"What is that form? if not a shape of air,
  14. 437Methinks, my jailor's face shows wondrous fair!"
  15. 438"Pirate! thou know'st me not, but I am one,
  16. 439Grateful for deeds thou hast too rarely done;
  17. 440Look on me--and remember her, thy hand
  18. 441Snatched from the flames, and thy more fearful band.
  19. 442I come through darkness--and I scarce know why--
  20. 443Yet not to hurt--I would not see thee die."
  1. 444"If so, kind lady! thine the only eye
  2. 445That would not here in that gay hope delight:
  3. 446Theirs is the chance--and let them use their right.
  4. 447But still I thank their courtesy or thine,
  5. 448That would confess me at so fair a shrine!"
  6. 449Strange though it seem--yet with extremest grief
  7. 450Is linked a mirth--it doth not bring relief--
  8. 451That playfulness of Sorrow ne'er beguiles,
  9. 452And smiles in bitterness--but still it smiles;
  10. 453And sometimes with the wisest and the best,
  11. 454Till even the scaffold echoes with their jest!
  12. 455Yet not the joy to which it seems akin--
  13. 456It may deceive all hearts, save that within.
  14. 457Whate'er it was that flashed on Conrad, now
  15. 458A laughing wildness half unbent his brow:
  16. 459And these his accents had a sound of mirth,
  17. 460As if the last he could enjoy on earth;
  18. 461Yet 'gainst his nature--for through that short life,
  19. 462Few thoughts had he to spare from gloom and strife.
  1. 463"Corsair! thy doom is named--but I have power
  2. 464To soothe the Pacha in his weaker hour.
  3. 465Thee would I spare--nay more--would save thee now,
  4. 466But this--Time--Hope--nor even thy strength allow;
  5. 467But all I can,--I will--at least delay
  6. 468The sentence that remits thee scarce a day.
  7. 469More now were ruin--even thyself were loth
  8. 470The vain attempt should bring but doom to both."
  1. 471"Yes!--loth indeed:--my soul is nerved to all,
  2. 472Or fall'n too low to fear a further fall:
  3. 473Tempt not thyself with peril--me with hope
  4. 474Of flight from foes with whom I could not cope:
  5. 475Unfit to vanquish--shall I meanly fly,
  6. 476The one of all my band that would not die?
  7. 477Yet there is one--to whom my Memory clings,
  8. 478Till to these eyes her own wild softness springs.
  9. 479My sole resources in the path I trod
  10. 480Were these--my bark--my sword--my love--my God!
  11. 481The last I left in youth!--He leaves me now--
  12. 482And Man but works his will to lay me low.
  13. 483I have no thought to mock his throne with prayer
  14. 484Wrung from the coward crouching of Despair;
  15. 485It is enough--I breathe--and I can bear.
  16. 486My sword is shaken from the worthless hand
  17. 487That might have better kept so true a brand;
  18. 488My bark is sunk or captive--but my Love--
  19. 489For her in sooth my voice would mount above:
  20. 490Oh! she is all that still to earth can bind--
  21. 491And this will break a heart so more than kind,
  22. 492And blight a form--till thine appeared, Gulnare!
  23. 493Mine eye ne'er asked if others were as fair."
  1. 494"Thou lov'st another then?--but what to me
  2. 495Is this--'tis nothing--nothing e'er can be:
  3. 496But yet--thou lov'st--and--Oh! I envy those
  4. 497Whose hearts on hearts as faithful can repose,
  5. 498Who never feel the void--the wandering thought
  6. 499That sighs o'er visions--such as mine hath wrought."
  1. 500"Lady--methought thy love was his, for whom
  2. 501This arm redeemed thee from a fiery tomb."
  1. 502"My love stern Seyd's! Oh--No--No--not my love--
  2. 503Yet much this heart, that strives no more, once strove
  3. 504To meet his passion--but it would not be.
  4. 505I felt--I feel--Love dwells with--with the free.
  5. 506I am a slave, a favoured slave at best,
  6. 507To share his splendour, and seem very blest!
  7. 508Oft must my soul the question undergo,
  8. 509Of--'Dost thou love?' and burn to answer, 'No!'
  9. 510Oh! hard it is that fondness to sustain,
  10. 511And struggle not to feel averse in vain;
  11. 512But harder still the heart's recoil to bear,
  12. 513And hide from one--perhaps another there.
  13. 514He takes the hand I give not--nor withhold--
  14. 515Its pulse nor checked--nor quickened--calmly cold:
  15. 516And when resigned, it drops a lifeless weight
  16. 517From one I never loved enough to hate.
  17. 518No warmth these lips return by his imprest,
  18. 519And chilled Remembrance shudders o'er the rest.
  19. 520Yes--had I ever proved that Passion's zeal,
  20. 521The change to hatred were at least to feel:
  21. 522But still--he goes unmourned--returns unsought--
  22. 523And oft when present--absent from my thought.
  23. 524Or when Reflection comes--and come it must--
  24. 525I fear that henceforth 'twill but bring disgust;
  25. 526I am his slave--but, in despite of pride,
  26. 527'Twere worse than bondage to become his bride.
  27. 528Oh! that this dotage of his breast would cease!
  28. 529Or seek another and give mine release,
  29. 530But yesterday--I could have said, to peace!
  30. 531Yes, if unwonted fondness now I feign,
  31. 532Remember--Captive! 'tis to break thy chain;
  32. 533Repay the life that to thy hand I owe;
  33. 534To give thee back to all endeared below,
  34. 535Who share such love as I can never know.
  35. 536Farewell--Morn breaks--and I must now away:
  36. 537'Twill cost me dear--but dread no death to-day!"
  1. 538She pressed his fettered fingers to her heart,
  2. 539And bowed her head, and turned her to depart,
  3. 540And noiseless as a lovely dream is gone.
  4. 541And was she here? and is he now alone?
  5. 542What gem hath dropped and sparkles o'er his chain?
  6. 543The tear most sacred, shed for others' pain,
  7. 544That starts at once--bright--pure--from Pity's mine,
  8. 545Already polished by the hand divine!
  9. 546Oh! too convincing--dangerously dear--
  10. 547In Woman's eye the unanswerable tear!
  11. 548That weapon of her weakness she can wield,
  12. 549To save, subdue--at once her spear and shield:
  13. 550Avoid it--Virtue ebbs and Wisdom errs,
  14. 551Too fondly gazing on that grief of hers!
  15. 552What lost a world, and bade a hero fly?
  16. 553The timid tear in Cleopatra's eye.
  17. 554Yet be the soft Triumvir's fault forgiven;
  18. 555By this--how many lose not earth--but Heaven!
  19. 556Consign their souls to Man's eternal foe,
  20. 557And seal their own to spare some Wanton's woe!
  1. 558'Tis Morn--and o'er his altered features play
  2. 559The beams--without the Hope of yesterday.
  3. 560What shall he be ere night? perchance a thing
  4. 561O'er which the raven flaps her funeral wing,
  5. 562By his closed eye unheeded and unfelt;
  6. 563While sets that Sun, and dews of Evening melt,
  7. 564Chill, wet, and misty round each stiffened limb,
  8. 565Refreshing earth--reviving all but him!