THE BRIDE OF ABYDOS. CANTO I. KNOW I. ye the land where the cypress and myrtle Are emblems of deeds that are done in their clime? Where the rage of the vulture, the love of the turtle, Now melt into sorrow, now madden to crime? Know ye the land of the cedar and vine, 5 Where the flowers ever blossom, the beams ever shine; Where the light wings of Zephyr, oppressed with perfume, Wax faint o'er the gardens of Gúl1 in her bloom; Where the citron and olive are fairest of fruit, And the voice of the nightingale never is mute; 10 Where the tints of the earth, and the hues of the sky, In colour though varied, in beauty may vie, And the purple of Ocean is deepest in die; Where the virgins are soft as the roses they twine, And all, save the spirit of man, is divine? 15 'Tis the clime of the east; 'tis the land of the Sun— Can he smile on such deeds as his children have done?? Oh! wild as the accents of lovers' farewell Are the hearts which they bear, and the tales which they tell. II. Begirt with many a gallant slave, Apparelled as becomes the brave, Awaiting each his Lord's behest To guide his steps, or guard his rest, Deep thought was in his aged eye; Not oft betrays to standers by The mind within, well skilled to hide All but unconquerable pride, 25 His pensive cheek and pondering brow 30 Did more than he was wont avow. III. "Let the chamber be cleared."-The train dis appeared "Now call me the chief of the Haram guard." With Giaffir is none but his only son, And the Nubian awaiting the sire's award. 35 "Haroun-when all the crowd that wait "Are passed beyond the outer gate, (Woe to the head whose eye beheld "My child Zuleika's face unveiled!) "Hence, lead my daughter from her tower; 40 "Her fate is fixed this very hour: "Yet not to her repeat my thought; "By me alone be duty taught!" "Pacha! to hear is to obey." No more must slave to despot say— First lowly rendering reverence meet; Still standing at the Pacha's feet: 45 50 For son of Moslem must expire," Ere dare to sit before his sire! "Father! for fear that thou should'st chide "My sister, or her sable guide, "Know, for the fault, if fault there be, "Was mine, then fall thy frowns on me; "So lovelily the morning shone, "That-let the old and weary sleep 55 "I could not; and to view alone "The fairest scenes of land and deep, 60 "With none to listen and reply "To thoughts with which my heart beat high "Were irksome-for whate'er my mood, "In sooth I love not solitude; |