"I have not quail'd to danger's brow "But these are words that all can use"I proved it more in deed than word; "There's blood upon that dinted sword, "A stain its steel can never lose : "'Twas shed for her, who died for me, "It warm'd the heart of one abhorr'd: Nay, start not-no-nor bend thy knee, " Nor midst my sins such act record; "Thou wilt absolve me from the deed, "For he was hostile to thy creed! "The very name of Nazarene 66 "Was wormwood to his Paynim spleen. “I loved her-love will find its way "And if it dares enough, 'twere hard "His death sits lightly; but her fate "Has made me what thou well may'st hate. "His doom was seal'd-he knew it well, "Warn'd by the voice of stern Taheer, 66 Deep in whose darkly boding ear (40) "The deathshot peal'd of murder near, "As filed the troop to where they fell! "One prayer to Alla all he made : "And watch'd his spirit ebb away: 66 Though pierced like pard by hunters' steel, "He felt not half that now I feel. "I search'd, but vainly search'd, to find "The workings of a wounded mind; "Each feature of that sullen corse Betray'd his rage, but no remorse. "Oh, what had Vengeance given to trace " And will not soothe, and can not save. "The cold in clime are cold in blood, "Their love can scarce deserve the name; "But mine was like the lava flood "That boils in Etna's breast of flame. "I cannot prate in puling strain "Of ladye-love, and beauty's chain : "If changing cheek, and scorching vein, Lips taught to writhe, but not complain, "If bursting heart, and madd'ning brain, "And daring deed, and vengeful steel, "And all that I have felt, and feel, "Betoken love-that love was mine, "And shown by many a bitter sign. "I die-but first I have possess'd, "And come what may, I have been blest. "But for the thought of Leila slain, "For him who dies, but her who died: |