Our oath; the rest shall time unfold. To me and mine leave Osman Bey! I've partisans for Peril's day: Think not I am what I appear; I've arms-and friends-and vengeance near." 380 XIII. "Think not thou art what thou appearest ! To see thee-hear thee-near thee stay And hate the night-I know not why, Save that we meet not but by day; With thee to live, with thee to die, I dare not to my hope deny : Thy cheek-thine eyes-thy lips to kiss- At least I feel my cheek, too, blushing. i. Like this-and more than this.-[MS.] 390 400 But, Selim, thou must answer why i i. But be it, since thou say'st 'tis well; 410 Yet what thou mean'st by 'arms' and 'friends,' Beyond my weaker sense extends. I meant that Giaffir should have heard The very vow I plighted thee; His wrath would not revoke my word: But surely he would leave me free. Can this fond wish seem strange in me, To be what I have ever been? What other hath Zuleika seen From simple childhood's earliest hour? What other can she seek to see What change is wrought to make me shun The truth-my pride, and thine till now? No happier made by that decree, He left me all in leaving thee. Deep were my anguish, thus compelled. To wed with one I ne'er beheld: i. But-Selim why my heart's reply Should need so much of mystery Is more than I can guess or tell, 420 430 But since thou say'st 'tis so-'tis well.-[MS.] ii. He blest me more in leaving thee. Much should I suffer thus compelled.—[MS.] This wherefore should I not reveal ? And such it feels while lurking here; Nor leave me thus to thoughts of fear. I tremble now to meet his eye Say, Selim, canst thou tell me why?" XIV. "Zuleika-to thy tower's retreat Betake thee-Giaffir I can greet: And now with him I fain must prate Of firmans, imposts, levies, state. There's fearful news from Danube's banks, i. This vow I should no more conceal And wherefore should I not reveal?—[MS.] ii. My breast is consciousness of sin But when and where and what the crime I almost feel is lurking here.—[MS.] 440 450 1. "Tchocadar "—one of the attendants who precedes a man of authority [See D'Ohsson's Tableau Générale, etc., 1787, ii. 159, and Plates 87, 88. The Turks seem to have used the Persian word chawki-dār, an officer of the guard-house, a policeman (whence our slang word "chokey"), for a "valet de pied," or, in the case of the Sultan, for an apparitor. The French spelling points to D'Ohsson as Byron's authority.] For which the Giaour may give him thanks! Our Sultan hath a shorter way Such costly triumph to repay. But, mark me, when the twilight drum 460 Hath warned the troops to food and sleep, Unto thy cell with Selim come; Then softly from the Haram creep Where we may wander by the deep : Nor these will rash intruder climb Which some have felt, and more may feel. Trust me, Zuleika-fear not me! "Fear thee, my Selim! ne'er till now "Delay not thou; i I keep the key—and Haroun's guard i. Be silent thou.-[MS.] i. 470 480 N VOL. III. CANTO THE SECOND.i. I. THE winds are high on Helle's wave, And shrieking sea-birds warned him home; With signs and sounds, forbade to go, 1 May nerve young hearts to prove as true. i. Nov. 9th 1813.-[MS.] 490 500 1. [Vide Ovid, Heroïdes, Ep. xix.; and the De Herone atque Leandro of Musæus.] |