Like a chenar-tree grove, 34 when winter throws Between the porphyry pillars, that uphold The rich moresque-work of the roof of gold, Aloft the Haram's curtain'd galleries rise, Where, through the silken network, glancing eyes, From time to time, like sudden gleams that glow Through autumn clouds, shine o'er the pomp below.What impious tongue, ye blushing saints, would dare To hint that aught but Heaven hath placed you there? Or that the loves of this light world could bind, From those who kneel at Brahma's burning founts,35 36 To the small, half-shut glances of Kathay ; But why this pageant now? this arm'd array? What triumph crowds the rich Divan to-day With turban'd heads, of every hue and race, Bowing before that veil'd and awful face, Like tulip-beds,37 of different shape and dyes, Bending beneath the' invisible West-wind's sighs! What new-made mystery now, for Faith to sign, And blood to seal, as genuine and divine, What dazzling mimickry of God's own power Hath the bold Prophet plann'd to grace this hour? Not such the pageant now, though not less proud; Yon warrior youth, advancing from the crowd, 38 With silver bow, with belt of broider'd crape, The creed and standard of the heaven-sent Chief. Though few his years, the West already knows Nor feel those godlike breathings in the air, False views, like that horizon's fair deceit, Where earth and heaven but seem, alas, to meet ! Soon as he heard an Arm Divine was rais'd Those words of sunshine, "Freedom to the World," Seem'd doubly edg'd, for this world and the next; In virtue's cause ;-never was soul inspir'd With livelier trust in what it most desir'd, Than his, the' enthusiast there, who kneeling, pale Low as young AZIM knelt, that motley crowd Of all earth's nations sunk the knee and bow'd, With shouts of " ALLA!" echoing long and loud; While high in air, above the Prophet's head, Hundreds of banners, to the sunbeam spread, Way'd, like the wings of the white birds that fan The flying throne of star-taught SOLIMAN.40 Then thus he spoke :-"Stranger, though new the frame Thy soul inhabits now, I've track'd its flame "For many an age,41 in every chance and change "Of that existence, through whose varied range,— "As through a torch-race, where, from hand to hand, "The flying youths transmit their shining brand,— "From frame to frame the unextinguish'd soul "Rapidly passes, till it reach the goal! "Nor think 'tis only the gross Spirits, warm'd "With duskier fire and for earth's medium form'd, "That run this course ;-Beings, the most divine, "Thus deign through dark mortality to shine. "Such was the Essence that in ADAM dwelt, "To which all Heaven, except the Proud One, knelt : 42 "Such the refin'd Intelligence that glow'd "In MOUSSA's 43 frame,-and, thence descending, flow'd |