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  • The Corsair: A Tale[;] Canto the Third

The Corsair: A Tale[;] Canto the Third

  1. 1"Come vedi--ancor non m'abbandona"
Dante, Inferno, v. 105.
  1. 2Slow sinks, more lovely ere his race be run,
  2. 3Along Morea's hills the setting Sun;
  3. 4Not, as in Northern climes, obscurely bright,
  4. 5But one unclouded blaze of living light!
  5. 6O'er the hushed deep the yellow beam he throws,
  6. 7Gilds the green wave, that trembles as it glows.
  7. 8On old Ægina's rock, and Idra's isle,
  8. 9The God of gladness sheds his parting smile;
  9. 10O'er his own regions lingering, loves to shine,
  10. 11Though there his altars are no more divine.
  11. 12Descending fast the mountain shadows kiss
  12. 13Thy glorious gulf, unconquered Salamis!
  13. 14Their azure arches through the long expanse
  14. 15More deeply purpled met his mellowing glance,
  15. 16And tenderest tints, along their summits driven,
  16. 17Mark his gay course, and own the hues of Heaven;
  17. 18Till, darkly shaded from the land and deep,
  18. 19Behind his Delphian cliff he sinks to sleep.
  1. 20On such an eve, his palest beam he cast,
  2. 21When--Athens! here thy Wisest looked his last.
  3. 22How watched thy better sons his farewell ray,
  4. 23That closed their murdered Sage's latest day!
  5. 24Not yet--not yet--Sol pauses on the hill--
  6. 25The precious hour of parting lingers still;
  7. 26But sad his light to agonising eyes,
  8. 27And dark the mountain's once delightful dyes:
  9. 28Gloom o'er the lovely land he seemed to pour,
  10. 29The land, where Phoebus never frowned before:
  11. 30But ere he sunk below Cithæron's head,
  12. 31The cup of woe was quaffed--the Spirit fled;
  13. 32The Soul of him who scorned to fear or fly--
  14. 33Who lived and died, as none can live or die!
  1. 34But lo! from high Hymettus to the plain,
  2. 35The Queen of night asserts her silent reign.
  3. 36No murky vapour, herald of the storm,
  4. 37Hides her fair face, nor girds her glowing form;
  5. 38With cornice glimmering as the moon-beams play,
  6. 39There the white column greets her grateful ray,
  7. 40And bright around with quivering beams beset,
  8. 41Her emblem sparkles o'er the Minaret:
  9. 42The groves of olive scattered dark and wide
  10. 43Where meek Cephisus pours his scanty tide;
  11. 44The cypress saddening by the sacred Mosque,
  12. 45The gleaming turret of the gay Kiosk;
  13. 46And, dun and sombre 'mid the holy calm,
  14. 47Near Theseus' fane yon solitary palm,
  15. 48All tinged with varied hues arrest the eye--
  16. 49And dull were his that passed him heedless by.
  1. 50Again the Ægean, heard no more afar,
  2. 51Lulls his chafed breast from elemental war;
  3. 52Again his waves in milder tints unfold
  4. 53Their long array of sapphire and of gold,
  5. 54Mixed with the shades of many a distant isle,
  6. 55That frown--where gentler Ocean seems to smile.
  1. 56Not now my theme--why turn my thoughts to thee?
  2. 57Oh! who can look along thy native sea,
  3. 58Nor dwell upon thy name, whate'er the tale,
  4. 59So much its magic must o'er all prevail?
  5. 60Who that beheld that Sun upon thee set,
  6. 61Fair Athens! could thine evening face forget?
  7. 62Not he--whose heart nor time nor distance frees,
  8. 63Spell-bound within the clustering Cyclades!
  9. 64Nor seems this homage foreign to its strain,
  10. 65His Corsair's isle was once thine own domain--
  11. 66Would that with freedom it were thine again!
  1. 67The Sun hath sunk--and, darker than the night,
  2. 68Sinks with its beam upon the beacon height
  3. 69Medora's heart--the third day's come and gone--
  4. 70With it he comes not--sends not--faithless one!
  5. 71The wind was fair though light! and storms were none.
  6. 72Last eve Anselmo's bark returned, and yet
  7. 73His only tidings that they had not met!
  8. 74Though wild, as now, far different were the tale
  9. 75Had Conrad waited for that single sail.
  10. 76The night-breeze freshens--she that day had passed
  11. 77In watching all that Hope proclaimed a mast;
  12. 78Sadly she sate on high--Impatience bore
  13. 79At last her footsteps to the midnight shore,
  14. 80And there she wandered, heedless of the spray
  15. 81That dashed her garments oft, and warned away:
  16. 82She saw not, felt not this--nor dared depart,
  17. 83Nor deemed it cold--her chill was at her heart;
  18. 84Till grew such certainty from that suspense--
  19. 85His very Sight had shocked from life or sense!
  1. 86It came at last--a sad and shattered boat,
  2. 87Whose inmates first beheld whom first they sought;
  3. 88Some bleeding--all most wretched--these the few--
  4. 89Scarce knew they how escaped--this all they knew.
  5. 90In silence, darkling, each appeared to wait
  6. 91His fellow's mournful guess at Conrad's fate:
  7. 92Something they would have said; but seemed to fear
  8. 93To trust their accents to Medora's ear.
  9. 94She saw at once, yet sunk not--trembled not--
  10. 95Beneath that grief, that loneliness of lot,
  11. 96Within that meek fair form, were feelings high,
  12. 97That deemed not till they found their energy.
  13. 98While yet was Hope they softened, fluttered, wept--
  14. 99All lost--that Softness died not--but it slept;
  15. 100And o'er its slumber rose that Strength which said,
  16. 101"With nothing left to love, there's nought to dread."
  17. 102'Tis more than Nature's--like the burning might
  18. 103Delirium gathers from the fever's height.
  1. 104"Silent you stand--nor would I hear you tell
  2. 105What--speak not--breathe not--for I know it well--
  3. 106Yet would I ask--almost my lip denies
  4. 107The--quick your answer--tell me where he lies."
  1. 108"Lady! we know not--scarce with life we fled;
  2. 109But here is one denies that he is dead:
  3. 110He saw him bound; and bleeding--but alive."
  1. 111She heard no further--'twas in vain to strive--
  2. 112So throbbed each vein--each thought--till then withstood;
  3. 113Her own dark soul--these words at once subdued:
  4. 114She totters--falls--and senseless had the wave
  5. 115Perchance but snatched her from another grave;
  6. 116But that with hands though rude, yet weeping eyes,
  7. 117They yield such aid as Pity's haste supplies:
  8. 118Dash o'er her deathlike cheek the ocean dew,
  9. 119Raise, fan, sustain--till life returns anew;
  10. 120Awake her handmaids, with the matrons leave
  11. 121That fainting form o'er which they gaze and grieve;
  12. 122Then seek Anselmo's cavern, to report
  13. 123The tale too tedious--when the triumph short.
  1. 124In that wild council words waxed warm and strange,
  2. 125With thoughts of ransom, rescue, and revenge;
  3. 126All, save repose or flight: still lingering there
  4. 127Breathed Conrad's spirit, and forbade despair;
  5. 128Whate'er his fate--the breasts he formed and led
  6. 129Will save him living, or appease him dead.
  7. 130Woe to his foes! there yet survive a few,
  8. 131Whose deeds are daring, as their hearts are true.
  1. 132Within the Haram's secret chamber sate
  2. 133Stern Seyd, still pondering o'er his Captive's fate;
  3. 134His thoughts on love and hate alternate dwell,
  4. 135Now with Gulnare, and now in Conrad's cell;
  5. 136Here at his feet the lovely slave reclined
  6. 137Surveys his brow--would soothe his gloom of mind;
  7. 138While many an anxious glance her large dark eye
  8. 139Sends in its idle search for sympathy,
  9. 140His only bends in seeming o'er his beads,
  10. 141But inly views his victim as he bleeds.
  1. 142"Pacha! the day is thine; and on thy crest
  2. 143Sits Triumph--Conrad taken--fall'n the rest!
  3. 144His doom is fixed--he dies; and well his fate
  4. 145Was earned--yet much too worthless for thy hate:
  5. 146Methinks, a short release, for ransom told
  6. 147With all his treasure, not unwisely sold;
  7. 148Report speaks largely of his pirate-hoard--
  8. 149Would that of this my Pacha were the lord!
  9. 150While baffled, weakened by this fatal fray--
  10. 151Watched--followed--he were then an easier prey;
  11. 152But once cut off--the remnant of his band
  12. 153Embark their wealth, and seek a safer strand."
  1. 154"Gulnare!--if for each drop of blood a gem
  2. 155Where offered rich as Stamboul's diadem;
  3. 156If for each hair of his a massy mine
  4. 157Of virgin ore should supplicating shine;
  5. 158If all our Arab tales divulge or dream
  6. 159Of wealth were here--that gold should not redeem!
  7. 160It had not now redeemed a single hour,
  8. 161But that I know him fettered, in my power;
  9. 162And, thirsting for revenge, I ponder still
  10. 163On pangs that longest rack--and latest kill."
  1. 164"Nay, Seyd! I seek not to restrain thy rage,
  2. 165Too justly moved for Mercy to assuage;
  3. 166My thoughts were only to secure for thee
  4. 167His riches--thus released, he were not free:
  5. 168Disabled--shorn of half his might and band,
  6. 169His capture could but wait thy first command."
  1. 170"His capture could!--and shall I then resign
  2. 171One day to him--the wretch already mine?
  3. 172Release my foe!--at whose remonstrance?--thine!
  4. 173Fair suitor!--to thy virtuous gratitude,
  5. 174That thus repays this Giaour's relenting mood,
  6. 175Which thee and thine alone of all could spare--
  7. 176No doubt, regardless--if the prize were fair--
  8. 177My thanks and praise alike are due--now hear!
  9. 178I have a counsel for thy gentler ear:
  10. 179I do mistrust thee, Woman! and each word
  11. 180Of thine stamps truth on all Suspicion heard.
  12. 181Borne in his arms through fire from yon Serai--
  13. 182Say, wert thou lingering there with him to fly?
  14. 183Thou need'st not answer--thy confession speaks,
  15. 184Already reddening on thy guilty cheeks:
  16. 185Then--lovely Dame--bethink thee! and beware:
  17. 186'Tis not his life alone may claim such care!
  18. 187Another word and--nay--I need no more.
  19. 188Accursed was the moment when he bore
  20. 189Thee from the flames, which better far--but no--
  21. 190I then had mourned thee with a lover's woe--
  22. 191Now 'tis thy lord that warns--deceitful thing!
  23. 192Know'st thou that I can clip thy wanton wing?
  24. 193In words alone I am not wont to chafe:
  25. 194Look to thyself--nor deem thy falsehood safe!"
  1. 195He rose--and slowly, sternly thence withdrew,
  2. 196Rage in his eye, and threats in his adieu:
  3. 197Ah! little recked that Chief of womanhood--
  4. 198Which frowns ne'er quelled, nor menaces subdued;
  5. 199And little deemed he what thy heart, Gulnare!
  6. 200When soft could feel--and when incensed could dare!
  7. 201His doubts appeared to wrong--nor yet she knew
  8. 202How deep the root from whence Compassion grew--
  9. 203She was a slave--from such may captives claim
  10. 204A fellow-feeling, differing but in name;
  11. 205Still half unconscious--heedless of his wrath,
  12. 206Again she ventured on the dangerous path,
  13. 207Again his rage repelled--until arose
  14. 208That strife of thought, the source of Woman's woes!
  1. 209Meanwhile--long--anxious--weary--still the same
  2. 210Rolled day and night: his soul could Terror tame--
  3. 211This fearful interval of doubt and dread,
  4. 212When every hour might doom him worse than dead;
  5. 213When every step that echoed by the gate,
  6. 214Might entering lead where axe and stake await;
  7. 215When every voice that grated on his ear
  8. 216Might be the last that he could ever hear;
  9. 217Could Terror tame--that Spirit stern and high
  10. 218Had proved unwilling as unfit to die;
  11. 219'Twas worn--perhaps decayed--yet silent bore
  12. 220That conflict, deadlier far than all before:
  13. 221The heat of fight, the hurry of the gale,
  14. 222Leave scarce one thought inert enough to quail:
  15. 223But bound and fixed in fettered solitude,
  16. 224To pine, the prey of every changing mood;
  17. 225To gaze on thine own heart--and meditate
  18. 226Irrevocable faults, and coming fate--
  19. 227Too late the last to shun--the first to mend--
  20. 228To count the hours that struggle to thine end,
  21. 229With not a friend to animate and tell
  22. 230To other ears that Death became thee well;
  23. 231Around thee foes to forge the ready lie,
  24. 232And blot Life's latest scene with calumny;
  25. 233Before thee tortures, which the Soul can dare,
  26. 234Yet doubts how well the shrinking flesh may bear;
  27. 235But deeply feels a single cry would shame,
  28. 236To Valour's praise thy last and dearest claim;
  29. 237The life thou leav'st below, denied above
  30. 238By kind monopolists of heavenly love;
  31. 239And more than doubtful Paradise--thy Heaven
  32. 240Of earthly hope--thy loved one from thee riven.
  33. 241Such were the thoughts that outlaw must sustain,
  34. 242And govern pangs surpassing mortal pain:
  35. 243And those sustained he--boots it well or ill?
  36. 244Since not to sink beneath, is something still!
  1. 245The first day passed--he saw not her--Gulnare--
  2. 246The second, third--and still she came not there;
  3. 247But what her words avouched, her charms had done,
  4. 248Or else he had not seen another Sun.
  5. 249The fourth day rolled along, and with the night
  6. 250Came storm and darkness in their mingling might.
  7. 251Oh! how he listened to the rushing deep,
  8. 252That ne'er till now so broke upon his sleep;
  9. 253And his wild Spirit wilder wishes sent,
  10. 254Roused by the roar of his own element!
  11. 255Oft had he ridden on that wingéd wave,
  12. 256And loved its roughness for the speed it gave;
  13. 257And now its dashing echoed on his ear,
  14. 258A long known voice--alas! too vainly near!
  15. 259Loud sung the wind above; and, doubly loud,
  16. 260Shook o'er his turret cell the thunder-cloud;
  17. 261And flashed the lightning by the latticed bar,
  18. 262To him more genial than the Midnight Star:
  19. 263Close to the glimmering grate he dragged his chain,
  20. 264And hoped that peril might not prove in vain.
  21. 265He rais'd his iron hand to Heaven, and prayed
  22. 266One pitying flash to mar the form it made:
  23. 267His steel and impious prayer attract alike--
  24. 268The storm rolled onward, and disdained to strike;
  25. 269Its peal waxed fainter--ceased--he felt alone,
  26. 270As if some faithless friend had spurned his groan!
  1. 271The midnight passed, and to the massy door
  2. 272A light step came--it paused--it moved once more;
  3. 273Slow turns the grating bolt and sullen key:
  4. 274'Tis as his heart foreboded--that fair She!
  5. 275Whate'er her sins, to him a Guardian Saint,
  6. 276And beauteous still as hermit's hope can paint;
  7. 277Yet changed since last within that cell she came,
  8. 278More pale her cheek, more tremulous her frame:
  9. 279On him she cast her dark and hurried eye,
  10. 280Which spoke before her accents--"Thou must die!
  11. 281Yes, thou must die--there is but one resource,
  12. 282The last--the worst--if torture were not worse."
  1. 283"Lady! I look to none; my lips proclaim
  2. 284What last proclaimed they--Conrad still the same:
  3. 285Why should'st thou seek an outlaw's life to spare,
  4. 286And change the sentence I deserve to bear?
  5. 287Well have I earned--nor here alone--the meed
  6. 288Of Seyd's revenge, by many a lawless deed."
  1. 289"Why should I seek? because--Oh! did'st thou not
  2. 290Redeem my life from worse than Slavery's lot?
  3. 291Why should I seek?--hath Misery made thee blind
  4. 292To the fond workings of a woman's mind?
  5. 293And must I say?--albeit my heart rebel
  6. 294With all that Woman feels, but should not tell--
  7. 295Because--despite thy crimes--that heart is moved:
  8. 296It feared thee--thanked thee--pitied--maddened--loved.
  9. 297Reply not, tell not now thy tale again,
  10. 298Thou lov'st another--and I love in vain:
  11. 299Though fond as mine her bosom, form more fair,
  12. 300I rush through peril which she would not dare.
  13. 301If that thy heart to hers were truly dear,
  14. 302Were I thine own--thou wert not lonely here:
  15. 303An outlaw's spouse--and leave her Lord to roam!
  16. 304What hath such gentle dame to do with home?
  17. 305But speak not now--o'er thine and o'er my head
  18. 306Hangs the keen sabre by a single thread;
  19. 307If thou hast courage still, and would'st be free,
  20. 308Receive this poniard--rise and follow me!"
  1. 309"Aye--in my chains! my steps will gently tread,
  2. 310With these adornments, o'er such slumbering head!
  3. 311Thou hast forgot--is this a garb for flight?
  4. 312Or is that instrument more fit for fight?"
  1. 313"Misdoubting Corsair! I have gained the guard,
  2. 314Ripe for revolt, and greedy for reward.
  3. 315A single word of mine removes that chain:
  4. 316Without some aid how here could I remain?
  5. 317Well, since we met, hath sped my busy time,
  6. 318If in aught evil, for thy sake the crime:
  7. 319The crime--'tis none to punish those of Seyd.
  8. 320That hatred tyrant, Conrad--he must bleed!
  9. 321I see thee shudder, but my soul is changed--
  10. 322Wronged--spurned--reviled--and it shall be avenged--
  11. 323Accused of what till now my heart disdained--
  12. 324Too faithful, though to bitter bondage chained.
  13. 325Yes, smile!--but he had little cause to sneer,
  14. 326I was not treacherous then, nor thou too dear:
  15. 327But he has said it--and the jealous well,--
  16. 328Those tyrants--teasing--tempting to rebel,--
  17. 329Deserve the fate their fretting lips foretell.
  18. 330I never loved--he bought me--somewhat high--
  19. 331Since with me came a heart he could not buy.
  20. 332I was a slave unmurmuring; he hath said,
  21. 333But for his rescue I with thee had fled.
  22. 334'Twas false thou know'st--but let such Augurs rue,
  23. 335Their words are omens Insult renders true.
  24. 336Nor was thy respite granted to my prayer;
  25. 337This fleeting grace was only to prepare
  26. 338New torments for thy life, and my despair.
  27. 339Mine too he threatens; but his dotage still
  28. 340Would fain reserve me for his lordly will:
  29. 341When wearier of these fleeting charms and me,
  30. 342There yawns the sack--and yonder rolls the sea!
  31. 343What, am I then a toy for dotard's play,
  32. 344To wear but till the gilding frets away?
  33. 345I saw thee--loved thee--owe thee all--would save,
  34. 346If but to show how grateful is a slave.
  35. 347But had he not thus menaced fame and life,--
  36. 348And well he keeps his oaths pronounced in strife--
  37. 349I still had saved thee--but the Pacha spared:
  38. 350Now I am all thine own--for all prepared:
  39. 351Thou lov'st me not--nor know'st--or but the worst.
  40. 352Alas! this love--that hatred--are the first--
  41. 353Oh! could'st thou prove my truth, thou would'st not start,
  42. 354Nor fear the fire that lights an Eastern heart;
  43. 355'Tis now the beacon of thy safety--now
  44. 356It points within the port a Mainote prow:
  45. 357But in one chamber, where our path must lead,
  46. 358There sleeps--he must not wake--the oppressor Seyd!"
  1. 359"Gulnare--Gulnare--I never felt till now
  2. 360My abject fortune, withered fame so low:
  3. 361Seyd is mine enemy; had swept my band
  4. 362From earth with ruthless but with open hand,
  5. 363And therefore came I, in my bark of war,
  6. 364To smite the smiter with the scimitar;
  7. 365Such is my weapon--not the secret knife;
  8. 366Who spares a Woman's seeks not Slumber's life.
  9. 367Thine saved I gladly, Lady--not for this;
  10. 368Let me not deem that mercy shown amiss.
  11. 369Now fare thee well--more peace be with thy breast!
  12. 370Night wears apace, my last of earthly rest!"
  1. 371"Rest! rest! by sunrise must thy sinews shake,
  2. 372And thy limbs writhe around the ready stake,
  3. 373I heard the order--saw--I will not see--
  4. 374If thou wilt perish, I will fall with thee.
  5. 375My life--my love--my hatred--all below
  6. 376Are on this cast--Corsair! 'tis but a blow!
  7. 377Without it flight were idle--how evade
  8. 378His sure pursuit?--my wrongs too unrepaid,
  9. 379My youth disgraced--the long, long wasted years,
  10. 380One blow shall cancel with our future fears;
  11. 381But since the dagger suits thee less than brand,
  12. 382I'll try the firmness of a female hand.
  13. 383The guards are gained--one moment all were o'er--
  14. 384Corsair! we meet in safety or no more;
  15. 385If errs my feeble hand, the morning cloud
  16. 386Will hover o'er thy scaffold, and my shroud."
  1. 387She turned, and vanished ere he could reply,
  2. 388But his glance followed far with eager eye;
  3. 389And gathering, as he could, the links that bound
  4. 390His form, to curl their length, and curb their sound,
  5. 391Since bar and bolt no more his steps preclude,
  6. 392He, fast as fettered limbs allow, pursued.
  7. 393'Twas dark and winding, and he knew not where
  8. 394That passage led; nor lamp nor guard was there:
  9. 395He sees a dusky glimmering--shall he seek
  10. 396Or shun that ray so indistinct and weak?
  11. 397Chance guides his steps--a freshness seems to bear
  12. 398Full on his brow as if from morning air;
  13. 399He reached an open gallery--on his eye
  14. 400Gleamed the last star of night, the clearing sky:
  15. 401Yet scarcely heeded these--another light
  16. 402From a lone chamber struck upon his sight.
  17. 403Towards it he moved; a scarcely closing door
  18. 404Revealed the ray within, but nothing more.
  19. 405With hasty step a figure outward passed,
  20. 406Then paused, and turned--and paused--'tis She at last!
  21. 407No poniard in that hand, nor sign of ill--
  22. 408"Thanks to that softening heart--she could not kill!"
  23. 409Again he looked, the wildness of her eye
  24. 410Starts from the day abrupt and fearfully.
  25. 411She stopped--threw back her dark far-floating hair,
  26. 412That nearly veiled her face and bosom fair,
  27. 413As if she late had bent her leaning head
  28. 414Above some object of her doubt or dread.
  29. 415They meet--upon her brow--unknown--forgot--
  30. 416Her hurrying hand had left--'twas but a spot--
  31. 417Its hue was all he saw, and scarce withstood--
  32. 418Oh! slight but certain pledge of crime--'tis Blood!
  1. 419He had seen battle--he had brooded lone
  2. 420O'er promised pangs to sentenced Guilt foreshown;
  3. 421He had been tempted--chastened--and the chain
  4. 422Yet on his arms might ever there remain:
  5. 423But ne'er from strife--captivity--remorse--
  6. 424From all his feelings in their inmost force--
  7. 425So thrilled, so shuddered every creeping vein,
  8. 426As now they froze before that purple stain.
  9. 427That spot of blood, that light but guilty streak,
  10. 428Had banished all the beauty from her cheek!
  11. 429Blood he had viewed--could view unmoved--but then
  12. 430It flowed in combat, or was shed by men!
  1. 431"'Tis done--he nearly waked--but it is done.
  2. 432Corsair! he perished--thou art dearly won.
  3. 433All words would now be vain--away--away!
  4. 434Our bark is tossing--'tis already day.
  5. 435The few gained over, now are wholly mine,
  6. 436And these thy yet surviving band shall join:
  7. 437Anon my voice shall vindicate my hand,
  8. 438When once our sail forsakes this hated strand."
  1. 439She clapped her hands, and through the gallery pour,
  2. 440Equipped for flight, her vassals--Greek and Moor;
  3. 441Silent but quick they stoop, his chains unbind;
  4. 442Once more his limbs are free as mountain wind!
  5. 443But on his heavy heart such sadness sate,
  6. 444As if they there transferred that iron weight.
  7. 445No words are uttered--at her sign, a door
  8. 446Reveals the secret passage to the shore;
  9. 447The city lies behind--they speed, they reach
  10. 448The glad waves dancing on the yellow beach;
  11. 449And Conrad following, at her beck, obeyed,
  12. 450Nor cared he now if rescued or betrayed;
  13. 451Resistance were as useless as if Seyd
  14. 452Yet lived to view the doom his ire decreed.
  1. 453Embarked--the sail unfurled--the light breeze blew--
  2. 454How much had Conrad's memory to review!
  3. 455Sunk he in contemplation, till the Cape
  4. 456Where last he anchored reared its giant shape.
  5. 457Ah!--since that fatal night, though brief the time,
  6. 458Had swept an age of terror, grief, and crime.
  7. 459As its far shadow frowned above the mast,
  8. 460He veiled his face, and sorrowed as he passed;
  9. 461He thought of all--Gonsalvo and his band,
  10. 462His fleeting triumph and his failing hand;
  11. 463He thought on her afar, his lonely bride:
  12. 464He turned and saw--Gulnare, the Homicide!
  1. 465She watched his features till she could not bear
  2. 466Their freezing aspect and averted air;
  3. 467And that strange fierceness foreign to her eye
  4. 468Fell quenched in tears, too late to shed or dry.
  5. 469She knelt beside him and his hand she pressed,
  6. 470"Thou may'st forgive though Allah's self detest;
  7. 471But for that deed of darkness what wert thou?
  8. 472Reproach me--but not yet--Oh! spare me now!
  9. 473I am not what I seem--this fearful night
  10. 474My brain bewildered--do not madden quite!
  11. 475If I had never loved--though less my guilt--
  12. 476Thou hadst not lived to--hate me--if thou wilt."
  1. 477She wrongs his thoughts--they more himself upbraid
  2. 478Than her--though undesigned--the wretch he made;
  3. 479But speechless all, deep, dark, and unexprest,
  4. 480They bleed within that silent cell--his breast.
  5. 481Still onward, fair the breeze, nor rough the surge,
  6. 482The blue waves sport around the stern they urge;
  7. 483Far on the Horizon's verge appears a speck,
  8. 484A spot--a mast--a sail--an arméd deck!
  9. 485Their little bark her men of watch descry,
  10. 486And ampler canvass woos the wind from high;
  11. 487She bears her down majestically near,
  12. 488Speed on her prow, and terror in her tier;
  13. 489A flash is seen--the ball beyond her bow
  14. 490Booms harmless, hissing to the deep below.
  15. 491Up rose keen Conrad from his silent trance,
  16. 492A long, long absent gladness in his glance;
  17. 493"'Tis mine--my blood-rag flag! again--again--
  18. 494I am not all deserted on the main!"
  19. 495They own the signal, answer to the hail,
  20. 496Hoist out the boat at once, and slacken sail.
  21. 497"'Tis Conrad! Conrad!" shouting from the deck,
  22. 498Command nor Duty could their transport check!
  23. 499With light alacrity and gaze of Pride,
  24. 500They view him mount once more his vessel's side;
  25. 501A smile relaxing in each rugged face,
  26. 502Their arms can scarce forbear a rough embrace.
  27. 503He, half forgetting danger and defeat,
  28. 504Returns their greeting as a Chief may greet,
  29. 505Wrings with a cordial grasp Anselmo's hand,
  30. 506And feels he yet can conquer and command!
  1. 507These greetings o'er, the feelings that o'erflow,
  2. 508Yet grieve to win him back without a blow;
  3. 509They sailed prepared for vengeance--had they known
  4. 510A woman's hand secured that deed her own,
  5. 511She were their Queen--less scrupulous are they
  6. 512Than haughty Conrad how they win their way.
  7. 513With many an asking smile, and wondering stare,
  8. 514They whisper round, and gaze upon Gulnare;
  9. 515And her, at once above--beneath her sex,
  10. 516Whom blood appalled not, their regards perplex.
  11. 517To Conrad turns her faint imploring eye,
  12. 518She drops her veil, and stands in silence by;
  13. 519Her arms are meekly folded on that breast,
  14. 520Which--Conrad safe--to Fate resigned the rest.
  15. 521Though worse than frenzy could that bosom fill,
  16. 522Extreme in love or hate, in good or ill,
  17. 523The worst of crimes had left her Woman still!
  1. 524This Conrad marked, and felt--ah! could he less?--
  2. 525Hate of that deed--but grief for her distress;
  3. 526What she has done no tears can wash away,
  4. 527And Heaven must punish on its angry day:
  5. 528But--it was done: he knew, whate'er her guilt,
  6. 529For him that poniard smote, that blood was spilt;
  7. 530And he was free!--and she for him had given
  8. 531Her all on earth, and more than all in heaven!
  9. 532And now he turned him to that dark-eyed slave
  10. 533Whose brow was bowed beneath the glance he gave,
  11. 534Who now seemed changed and humbled, faint and meek,
  12. 535But varying oft the colour of her cheek
  13. 536To deeper shades of paleness--all its red
  14. 537That fearful spot which stained it from the dead!
  15. 538He took that hand--it trembled--now too late--
  16. 539So soft in love--so wildly nerved in hate;
  17. 540He clasped that hand--it trembled--and his own
  18. 541Had lost its firmness, and his voice its tone.
  19. 542"Gulnare!"--but she replied not--"dear Gulnare!"
  20. 543She raised her eye--her only answer there--
  21. 544At once she sought and sunk in his embrace:
  22. 545If he had driven her from that resting-place,
  23. 546His had been more or less than mortal heart,
  24. 547But--good or ill--it bade her not depart.
  25. 548Perchance, but for the bodings of his breast,
  26. 549His latest virtue then had joined the rest.
  27. 550Yet even Medora might forgive the kiss
  28. 551That asked from form so fair no more than this,
  29. 552The first, the last that Frailty stole from Faith--
  30. 553To lips where Love had lavished all his breath,
  31. 554To lips--whose broken sighs such fragrance fling,
  32. 555As he had fanned them freshly with his wing!
  1. 556They gain by twilight's hour their lonely isle.
  2. 557To them the very rocks appear to smile;
  3. 558The haven hums with many a cheering sound,
  4. 559The beacons blaze their wonted stations round,
  5. 560The boats are darting o'er the curly bay,
  6. 561And sportive Dolphins bend them through the spray;
  7. 562Even the hoarse sea-bird's shrill, discordant shriek,
  8. 563Greets like the welcome of his tuneless beak!
  9. 564Beneath each lamp that through its lattice gleams,
  10. 565Their fancy paints the friends that trim the beams.
  11. 566Oh! what can sanctify the joys of home,
  12. 567Like Hope's gay glance from Ocean's troubled foam?
  1. 568The lights are high on beacon and from bower,
  2. 569And 'midst them Conrad seeks Medora's tower:
  3. 570He looks in vain--'tis strange--and all remark,
  4. 571Amid so many, hers alone is dark.
  5. 572'Tis strange--of yore its welcome never failed,
  6. 573Nor now, perchance, extinguished--only veiled.
  7. 574With the first boat descends he for the shore,
  8. 575And looks impatient on the lingering oar.
  9. 576Oh! for a wing beyond the falcon's flight,
  10. 577To bear him like an arrow to that height!
  11. 578With the first pause the resting rowers gave,
  12. 579He waits not--looks not--leaps into the wave,
  13. 580Strives through the surge, bestrides the beach, and high
  14. 581Ascends the path familiar to his eye.
  1. 582He reached his turret door--he paused--no sound
  2. 583Broke from within; and all was night around.
  3. 584He knocked, and loudly--footstep nor reply
  4. 585Announced that any heard or deemed him nigh:
  5. 586He knocked, but faintly--for his trembling hand
  6. 587Refused to aid his heavy heart's demand.
  7. 588The portal opens--'tis a well known face--
  8. 589But not the form he panted to embrace.
  9. 590Its lips are silent--twice his own essayed,
  10. 591And failed to frame the question they delayed;
  11. 592He snatched the lamp--its light will answer all--
  12. 593It quits his grasp, expiring in the fall.
  13. 594He would not wait for that reviving ray--
  14. 595As soon could he have lingered there for day;
  15. 596But, glimmering through the dusky corridor,
  16. 597Another chequers o'er the shadowed floor;
  17. 598His steps the chamber gain--his eyes behold
  18. 599All that his heart believed not--yet foretold!
  1. 600He turned not--spoke not--sunk not--fixed his look,
  2. 601And set the anxious frame that lately shook:
  3. 602He gazed--how long we gaze despite of pain,
  4. 603And know, but dare not own, we gaze in vain!
  5. 604In life itself she was so still and fair,
  6. 605That Death with gentler aspect withered there;
  7. 606And the cold flowers her colder hand contained,
  8. 607In that last grasp as tenderly were strained
  9. 608As if she scarcely felt, but feigned a sleep--
  10. 609And made it almost mockery yet to weep:
  11. 610The long dark lashes fringed her lids of snow,
  12. 611And veiled--Thought shrinks from all that lurked below--Oh!
  13. 612o'er the eye Death most exerts his might,
  14. 613And hurls the Spirit from her throne of light;
  15. 614Sinks those blue orbs in that long last eclipse,
  16. 615But spares, as yet, the charm around her lips--
  17. 616Yet, yet they seem as they forebore to smile,
  18. 617And wished repose,--but only for a while;
  19. 618But the white shroud, and each extended tress,
  20. 619Long, fair--but spread in utter lifelessness,
  21. 620Which, late the sport of every summer wind,
  22. 621Escaped the baffled wreath that strove to bind;
  23. 622These--and the pale pure cheek, became the bier--
  24. 623But She is nothing--wherefore is he here?
  1. 624He asked no question--all were answered now
  2. 625By the first glance on that still, marble brow.
  3. 626It was enough--she died--what recked it how?
  4. 627The love of youth, the hope of better years,
  5. 628The source of softest wishes, tenderest fears,
  6. 629The only living thing he could not hate,
  7. 630Was reft at once--and he deserved his fate,
  8. 631But did not feel it less;--the Good explore,
  9. 632For peace, those realms where Guilt can never soar:
  10. 633The proud, the wayward--who have fixed below
  11. 634Their joy, and find this earth enough for woe,
  12. 635Lose in that one their all--perchance a mite--
  13. 636But who in patience parts with all delight?
  14. 637Full many a stoic eye and aspect stern
  15. 638Mask hearts where Grief hath little left to learn;
  16. 639And many a withering thought lies hid, not lost,
  17. 640In smiles that least befit who wear them most.
  1. 641By those, that deepest feel, is ill exprest
  2. 642The indistinctness of the suffering breast;
  3. 643Where thousand thoughts begin to end in one,
  4. 644Which seeks from all the refuge found in none;
  5. 645No words suffice the secret soul to show,
  6. 646For Truth denies all eloquence to Woe.
  7. 647On Conrad's stricken soul Exhaustion prest,
  8. 648And Stupor almost lulled it into rest;
  9. 649So feeble now--his mother's softness crept
  10. 650To those wild eyes, which like an infant's wept:
  11. 651It was the very weakness of his brain,
  12. 652Which thus confessed without relieving pain.
  13. 653None saw his trickling tears--perchance, if seen,
  14. 654That useless flood of grief had never been:
  15. 655Nor long they flowed--he dried them to depart,
  16. 656In helpless--hopeless--brokenness of heart:
  17. 657The Sun goes forth, but Conrad's day is dim:
  18. 658And the night cometh--ne'er to pass from him.
  19. 659There is no darkness like the cloud of mind,
  20. 660On Grief's vain eye--the blindest of the blind!
  21. 661Which may not--dare not see--but turns aside
  22. 662To blackest shade--nor will endure a guide!
  1. 663His heart was formed for softness--warped to wrong,
  2. 664Betrayed too early, and beguiled too long;
  3. 665Each feeling pure--as falls the dropping dew
  4. 666Within the grot--like that had hardened too;
  5. 667Less clear, perchance, its earthly trials passed,
  6. 668But sunk, and chilled, and petrified at last.
  7. 669Yet tempests wear, and lightning cleaves the rock;
  8. 670If such his heart, so shattered it the shock.
  9. 671There grew one flower beneath its rugged brow,
  10. 672Though dark the shade--it sheltered--saved till now.
  11. 673The thunder came--that bolt hath blasted both,
  12. 674The Granite's firmness, and the Lily's growth:
  13. 675The gentle plant hath left no leaf to tell
  14. 676Its tale, but shrunk and withered where it fell;
  15. 677And of its cold protector, blacken round
  16. 678But shivered fragments on the barren ground!
  1. 679'Tis morn--to venture on his lonely hour
  2. 680Few dare; though now Anselmo sought his tower.
  3. 681He was not there, nor seen along the shore;
  4. 682Ere night, alarmed, their isle is traversed o'er:
  5. 683Another morn--another bids them seek,
  6. 684And shout his name till Echo waxeth weak;
  7. 685Mount--grotto--cavern--valley searched in vain,
  8. 686They find on shore a sea-boat's broken chain:
  9. 687Their hope revives--they follow o'er the main.
  10. 688'Tis idle all--moons roll on moons away,
  11. 689And Conrad comes not, came not since that day:
  12. 690Nor trace nor tidings of his doom declare
  13. 691Where lives his grief, or perished his despair!
  14. 692Long mourned his band whom none could mourn beside;
  15. 693And fair the monument they gave his Bride:
  16. 694For him they raise not the recording stone--
  17. 695His death yet dubious, deeds too widely known;
  18. 696He left a Corsair's name to other times,
  19. 697Linked with one virtue, and a thousand crimes.