That quenched in silence, all is still,

But the lattice that flaps when the wind is

shrill:

325

Though raves the gust, and floods the rain,
No hand shall close its clasp again.
On desart sands 'twere joy to scan

The rudest steps of fellow man,
So here the very voice of Grief
Might wake an Echo like relief-

At least 'twould say, "all are not gone;

330

"There lingers Life, though but in one—” For many a gilded chamber's there,

Which Solitude might well forbear;
Within that dome as yet Decay

Hath slowly worked her cankering way—

But gloom is gathered o'er the gate,

Nor there the Fakir's self will wait;

335

Nor there will wandering Dervise stay, 340

For Bounty cheers not his delay;

Nor there will weary stranger halt

To bless the sacred "bread and salt." it

Alike must Wealth and Poverty

Pass heedless and unheeded by,

345

For Courtesy and Pity died

With Hassan on the mountain side.

His roof, that refuge unto men,

Is Desolation's hungry den.

The guest flies the hall, and the vassal from

labour,

350

Since his turban was cleft by the infidel's sabre ! 12

I hear the sound of coming feet,

But not a voice mine ear to greet;

More near-each turban I can scan,

And silver-sheathed ataghan; 13

The foremost of the band is seen,

An Emir by his garb of green:

14

"Ho! who art thou?-this low salam 15

"Replies of Moslem faith I am.

355

"The burthen ye so gently bear,

"Seems one that claims your utmost care,

360

"And, doubtless, holds some precious freight,

66

My humble bark would gladly wait."

"Thou speakest sooth, thy skiff unmoor,

"And waft us from the silent shore;

66

Nay, leave the sail still furled, and ply

"The nearest oar that's scattered by,
"And midway to those rocks where sleep
"The channelled waters dark and deep.

365

"Rest from your task-so-bravely done, "Our course has been right swiftly run; 371

"Yet 'tis the longest voyage, I trow,

Sullen it plunged, and slowly sank,
The calm wave rippled to the bank;
I watched it as it sank, methought
Some motion from the current caught
Bestirred it more,-'twas but the beam
That chequered o'er the living stream:

375

I gazed, till vanishing from view,

380

Like lessening pebble it withdrew;

Still less and less, a speck of white

That gemmed the tide, then mocked the sight;

And all its hidden secrets sleep,

Known but to Genii of the deep,

Which, trembling in their coral caves,

They dare not whisper to the waves.

385

*

*

*

As rising on its purple wing
The insect-queen 16 of eastern spring,

O'er emerald meadows of Kashmeer

Invites the young pursuer near,

And leads him on from flower to flower
A weary chase and wasted hour,

Then leaves him, as it soars on high,

With panting heart and tearful eye:
So Beauty lures the full-grown child,

With hue as bright, and wing as wild;

390

395