"This wherefore should I not reveal? Why wilt thou urge me to conceal? "I know the Pacha's haughty mood 445 "If then such secrecy be crime, "And such it feels while lurking here; "Oh, Selim! tell me yet in time, "Nor leave me thus to thoughts of fear. "Ah! yonder see the Tchocadar," "" My father leaves the mimic war; "I tremble now to meet his eye 66 Say, Selim, can'st thou tell me why?" 450 XIV. "Zuleika! to thy tower's retreat "Betake thee-Giaffir I can greet: "And now with him I fain must prate 455 “Of firmans, imposts, levies, state. "There's fearful news from Danube's banks; "Our Vizier nobly thins his ranks, "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 "Hath warned the troops to food and sleep, "Unto thy cell will Selim come: 460 "Then softly from the Haram creep 465 "Where we may wander by the deep: "Our garden-battlements are steep; "Nor these will rash intruder climb "To list our words, or stint our time, "And if he doth, I want not steel Which some have felt, and more may feel. "Then shalt thou learn of Selim more "Than thou hast heard or thought before; 470 "Trust me, Zuleika-fear not me! "Thou know'st I hold a Haram key." 475 "Fear thee, my Selim! ne'er till now "I keep the key-and Haroun's guard "Have some, and hope of more reward. "To night, Zuleika, thou shalt hear 66 My tale, my purpose, and my fear: "I am not, love! what I appear." 480 END OF CANTO I. THE BRIDE OF ABYDOS. CANTO II. I. THE As on that night of stormy water When Love, who sent, forgot to save The young, the beautiful, the brave, The lonely hope of Sestos' daughter. 485 Oh! when alone along the sky Her turret-torch was blazing high, 490 Though rising gale, and breaking foam, And shrieking sea-birds warned him home; |