That ne'er till now so broke upon his sleep; And his wild spirit wilder wishes sent, A long known voice alas! too vainly near! The storm rolled onward and disdained to strike; ceased As if some faithless friend had spurned his groan! Slow turns the grating bolt and sullen key: 'Tis as his heart foreboded that fair she! Whate'er her sins, to him a guardian saint, die! 1450 "Yes, thou must die there is but one resource, "The last the worst. if torture were not worse." "Lady! I look to none my lips proclaim "And change the sentence I deserve to bear? "Of Seyd's revenge, by many a lawless deed." "Why should I seek? because Oh! didst thou not "Redeem my life from worse than slavery's lot? "Why should I seek? hath misery made thee blind - "To the fond workings of a woman's mind! "And must I say? albeit my heart rebel "With all that woman feels, but should not tell "Because despite thy crimes that heart is - "Reply not, tell not now thy tale again, "Though fond as mine her bosom, form more fair, "I rush through peril which she would not dare. "If that thy heart to hers were truly dear, 1470 “What hath such gentle dame to do with home? "But speak not now- o'er thine and o'er my head "Hangs the keen sabre by a single thread; "If thou hast courage still, and would'st be free, "Receive this poignard rise and follow me!" "Ayin my chains! my steps will gently tread, "With these adornments, o'er each slumbering head! 1480 "Thon hast forgot - is this a garb for flight? "Or is that instrument more fit for fight?" VOL. III. F "Misdoubting Corsair! I have gained the guard, "Ripe for revolt, and greedy for reward. "A single word of mine removes that chain: "Without some aid how here could I remain? "Well, since we met, hath sped my busy time, "If in aught evil, for thy sake the crime: "The crime 'tis none to punish those of Seyd. "That hated tyrant, Conrad- he must bleed! 1490 "I see thee shudder but my soul is changed "Wronged spurned reviled and it shall be avenged "Accused of what till now my heart disdained - "Too faithful, though to bitter bondage chained. "Yes; smile! but he had little cause to sneer, "I was not treacherous then nor thou too dear: "But he has said it and the jealous well, "Those tyrants, teasing, tempting to rebel, "Deserve the fate their fretting lips foretell. "I never loved he bought me high somewhat 1500 "Since with me came a heart he could not buy. "I was a slave unmurmuring; he hath said; "But for his rescue I with thee had fled. "Twas false thou know'st but let such an gurs rue. Their words are omens Insult renders true. "Nor was thy respite granted to my prayer; "This fleeting grace was only to prepare "New torments for thy life, and my despair. "Mine too he threatens; but his dotage still "Would fain reserve me for his lordly will: 1510 "When wearier of these fleeting charms and me, "There yawns the sack-and yonder rolls the sea! "What, am I then a toy for dotard's play, "To wear but till the gilding frets away? "I saw thee loved thee would save, owe thee all "If but to shew how grateful is a slave. "But had he not thus menaced fame and life, "(And well he keeps his oaths pronounced in strife) "Alas! this love that hatred are the first "Oh! could'st thou prove my truth, thou woulds't not start, "Nor fear the fire that lights an Eastern heart, ""Tis now the beacon of thy safety now "It points within the port a Mainote prow: |