"As panthers, after set of sun, "Across the dark sea-robber's way, 4 upon our startled prey; "And when some hearts that proudest swell "When Hope's expiring throb is o'er, His Chiefs stood round-each shining blade And though so wild and desolate Those courts, where once the Mighty sate; The wandering Spirits of their Dead; ' 4 V. Russel's account of the panthers attacking travellers in the night on the sea-shore about the roots of Lebanon. 5" Among other ceremonies the Magi used to place upon the Though neither priest nor rites were there, Nor symbol of their worshipp'd planet ;' - 6 tops of high towers various kinds of rich viands, upon which it was supposed the Peris and the spirits of their departed heroes regaled themselves.". Richardson. 6 In the ceremonies of the Ghebers round their Fire, as described by Lord, "the Daroo," he says, "giveth them water to drink, and a pomegranate leaf to chew in the mouth, to cleanse them from inward uncleanness." 7 "Early in the morning, they (the Parsees or Ghebers at Oulam) go in crowds to pay their devotions to the Sun, to whom upon all. the altars there are spheres consecrated, made by magic, resembling the circles of the sun, and when the sun rises, these orbs seem to be inflamed, and to turn round with a great noise. They have every one a censer in their hands, and offer incense to the sun.”" - Rabbi Benjamin. Brave, suffering souls! they little knew From one meek maid, one gentle foe, Whom Love first touch'd with others' woe Slept like a lake, till Love threw in The Persian lily shines and towers, And oft, when thou hast pac'd along Thy Haram halls with furious heat, Hast thou not curs'd her cheerful song, That came across thee, calm and sweet, Like lutes of angels, touch'd so near Hell's confines, that the damn'd can hear ! Far other feelings Love hath brought And thinks that o'er, almost to madness! Oft doth her sinking heart recal In every Gheber wretch that bleeds. There's not a sabre meets her eye, But with his life-blood seems to swim; There's not an arrow wings the sky, No more she brings with footstep light And, had he look'd with clearer sight, Had not the mists, that ever rise From a foul spirit, dimm'd his eyes He would have mark'd her shuddering frame, Voice, step, and life, and beauty chang'd -- He would have mark'd all this, and known Such change is wrought by Love alone! Ah! not the Love, that should have bless'd Not the pure, open, prosperous Love, In friendship's smile and home's caress, Collecting all the heart's sweet ties Into one knot of happiness! Is nurs❜d in silence, sorrow, shame. A passion, without hope or pleasure, In thy soul's darkness buried deep, It lies, like some ill-gotten treasure, — Some idol, without shrine or name, O'er which its pale-ey'd votaries keep Unholy watch, while others sleep! Seven nights have darken'd OMAN's Sea, Since last, beneath the moonlight ray, She saw his light oar rapidly Hurry her Gheber's bark away, |