Down from the central fountain's flow, Fallen silver-chiming, seemed to shake The sparkling flints beneath the prow. A goodly place, a goodly time, For it was in the golden prime Of good Haroun Alraschid.
Above through many a bowery turn A walk with vary-coloured shells Wandered engrained. On either side All round about the fragrant marge From fluted vase, and brazen urn In order, eastern flowers large, Some dropping low their crimson bells Half-closed, and others studded wide With disks and tiars, fed the time With odour, in the golden prime Of good Haroun Alraschid.
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 possessed The darkness of the world, delight, Life, anguish, death, immortal love, Ceasing not, mingled, unrepressed, Apart from place, withholding time, But flattering the golden prime Of good Haroun Alraschid.
Black the garden-bowers and grots Slumbered: the solemn palms were ranged Above, unwooed of summer wind:
A sudden splendour from behind Flushed 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 through the garden I was drawn- A realm of pleasance, many a mound, And many a shadow-chequered 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 looked to shame The hollow-vaulted dark, and streamed Upon the mooned domes aloof
In inmost Bagdat, till there seemed
Hundreds of crescents on the roof
Of night new-risen, that marvellous time, To celebrate the golden prime
Of good Haroun Alraschid.
Gazed on the Persian girl alone, Serene with argent-lidded eyes Amorous, and lashes like to rays Of darkness, and & 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-drooped, in many a floating fold, Engarlanded and diapered
With inwrought flowers, a cloth of gold. Thereon, his deep eye laughter-stirred With merriment of kingly pride,
Sole star of all that place and time, I saw him—in his golden prime, THE GOOD HAROUN ALRASCHID!
Is there a whim-inspired fool, Owre fast for thought, owre fast for rule, Owre blate to seek, owre proud to snool, Let him draw near;
And owre this grassy heap sing dool, And drap a tear.
Is there a bard of rustic song,
Who, noteless, steals the crowds among,
That weekly this area throng,
Oh! pass not by ;
But, with a frater-feeling strong,
Here heave a sigh.
Is there a man, whose judgment clear Can others teach the course to steer, Yet runs, himself, life's mad career, Wild as the wave;
Here pause-and through the starting tear Survey this grave.
The poor inhabitant below
Was quick to learn and wise to know,
And keenly felt the friendly glow,
And softer flame;
But thoughtless follies laid him low,
And stained his name.
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