Far off, and where the lemon grove
In closest coverture upsprung, The living airs of middle night Died round the bulbul as he sung; Not he: but something which possess'd The darkness of the world, delight, Life, anguish, death, immortal love, Ceasing not, mingled, unrepress'd, Apart from place, withholding time, But flattering the golden prime Of good Haroun Alraschid.
Black the garden-bowers and grots
Slumber'd the solemn palms were ranged
Above, unwoo'd of summer wind:
A sudden splendour from behind
Flush'd all the leaves with rich gold-green, And, flowing rapidly between
Their interspaces, counterchanged The level lake with diamond-plots Of dark and bright. A lovely time, For it was in the golden prime Of good Haroun Alraschid.
Dark-blue the deep sphere overhead, Distinct with vivid stars inlaid, Grew darker from that under-flame : So, leaping lightly from the boat,
With silver anchor left afloat,
In marvel whence that glory came Upon me, as in sleep I sank
In cool soft turf upon the bank, Entranced with that place and time, So worthy of the golden prime Of good Haroun Alraschid.
'Thence thro' the garden I was drawnA realm of pleasance, many a mound, And many a shadow-chequer'd lawn Full of the city's stilly sound,
And deep myrrh-thickets blowing round The stately cedar, tamarisks,
Thick rosaries of scented thorn,
Tall orient shrubs, and obelisks
Graven with emblems of the time, In honour of the golden prime Of good Haroun Alraschid.
With dazed vision unawares From the long alley's latticed shade Emerged, I came upon the great Pavilion of the Caliphat.
Right to the carven cedarn doors, Flung inward over spangled floors, Broad-based flights of marble stairs Ran up with golden balustrade,
After the fashion of the time, And humour of the golden prime Of good Haroun Alraschid.
The fourscore windows all alight As with the quintessence of flame, A million tapers flaring bright
From twisted silvers look'd to shame The hollow-vaulted dark, and stream'd Upon the mooned domes aloof
In inmost Bagdat, till there seem'd Hundreds of crescents on the roof
Of night new-risen, that marvellous time To celebrate the golden prime Of good Haroun Alraschid.
Then stole I up, and trancedly Gazed on the Persian girl alone, Serene with argent-lidded eyes Amorous, and lashes like to rays Of darkness, and a brow of pearl Tressed with redolent ebony, In many a dark delicious curl, Flowing beneath her rose-hued zone; The sweetest lady of the time, Well worthy of the golden prime Of good Haroun Alraschid.
Six columns, three on either side, Pure silver, underpropt a rich
Throne of the massive ore, from which Down-droop'd, in many a floating fold, Engarlanded and diaper'd
With inwrought flowers, a cloth of gold. Thereon, his deep eye laughter-stirr'd With merriment of kingly pride, Sole star of all that place and time, I saw him-in his golden prime, THE GOOD HAROUN ALRASCHID!
THOU who stealest fire,
From the fountains of the past,
To glorify the present; oh, haste, Visit my low desire! Strengthen me, enlighten me! I faint in this obscurity,
Thou dewy dawn of memory.
Come not as thou camest of late,
Flinging the gloom of yesternight
On the white day; but robed in soften'd light Of orient state.
Whilome thou camest with the morning mist, Even as a maid, whose stately brow
The dew-impearled winds of dawn have kiss'd, When she, as thou,
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