"Yet would I ask-almost my lip denies "The quick your answer tell me where he lies." 66 Lady! we know not-scarce with life we fled; "But here is one denies that he is dead: "He saw him bound; and bleeding—but alive." She heard no further-'twas in vain to strive- Her own dark soul these words at once subdued: The tale too tedious when the triumph short. IV. In that wild council words wax'd warm and strange, V. Within the Haram's secret chamber sate Stern Seyd, still pondering o'er his Captive's fate; Surveys his brow-would soothe his gloom of mind: His only bends in seeming o'er his beads, (15) "Pacha! the day is thine; and on thy crest "Sits Triumph-Conrad taken-fall'n the rest! "His doom is fix'd-he dies: and well his fate "Was earn'd-yet much too worthless for thy hate: "Methinks, a short release, for ransom told "With all his treasure, not unwisely sold; "Report speaks largely of his pirate-hoard— "Would that of this my Pacha were the lord! "While baffled, weaken'd by this fatal fray-"Watch'd-follow'd he were then an easier prey; "But once cut off the remnant of his band "Embark their wealth, and seek a safer strand." "Gulnare!—if for each drop of blood a gem "Of wealth were here—that gold should not redeem! "It had not now redeem'd a single hour; "But that I know him fetter'd, in my power; "And, thirsting for revenge, I ponder still "Nay, Seyd!-I seek not to restrain thy rage, "His capture could!—and shall I then resign "One day to him-the wretch already mine? "Release my foe! at whose remonstrance?—thine! "Fair suitor!-to thy virtuous gratitude, "That thus repays this Giaour's relenting mood, "Which thee and thine alone of all could spare, "No doubt-regardless if the prize were fair, "My thanks and praise alike are due-now hear! "I have a counsel for thy gentler ear: "I do mistrust thee, woman! and each word "Of thine stamps truth on all Suspicion heard. "Borne in his arms through fire from yon Serai Say, wert thou lingering there with him to fly? "Thou need'st not answer- -thy confession speaks, "Already reddening on thy guilty cheeks; Then, lovely dame, bethink thee! and beware: ""Tis not his life alone may claim such care! "Another word and-nay-I need no more. "Accursed was the moment when he bore "Thee from the flames, which better far-but-no— "I then had mourn'd thee with a lover's woe "Now 'tis thy lord that warns-deceitful thing! "Know'st thou that I can clip thy wanton wing? "In words alone I am not wont to chafe : "Look to thyself—nor deem thy falsehood safe!" He rose and slowly, sternly thence withdrew, That strife of thought, the source of woman's woes! VI. Meanwhile-long anxious-weary-still-the same Roll'd day and night his soul could never tame— This fearful interval of doubt and dread, When every hour might doom him worse than dead, Might entering lead where ax and stake await; 'Twas worn- —perhaps decay'd—yet silent bore That conflict deadlier far than all before : To pine, the prey of every changing mood; Το gaze on thine own heart; and meditate Irrevocable faults, and coming fate Too late the last to shun-the first to mend VII. The first day pass'd he saw not her-GulnareThe second-third-and still she came not there; But what her words avouch'd, her charms had done, Or else he had not seen another sun. |