And rot to dust beneath the taunting eyes Of slaves, exclaiming, 'There his Godship lies !' No; cursed race, since first my soul drew breath, They've been my dupes, and shall be, even in death. Thou see'st yon cistern in the shade, 'tis fill'd With burning drugs, for this last hour distill'd; There will I plunge me in that liquid flame, Fit bath to lave a dying prophet's frame ! There perish, all, - -ere pulse of thine shall Nor leave one limb to tell mankind the tale. it gave; That I've but vanish'd from this earth awhile, To come again with bright unshrouded smile! Where knaves shall minister and fools shall kneel; The sail he spreads for heaven with blasts from hell! No trace of me shall greet them, when they come, In one bold plunge, commences Deity!" He sprung and sunk, as the last words were said: Quick closed the burning waters o'er his head, And Zelica was left- within the ring Of those wide walls the only living thing; The only wretched one, still cursed with breath, In all that frightful wilderness of death! More like some bloodless ghost, such as, they tell, But morn is up, and a fresh warfare stirs Their globes of fire (the dread artillery, lent Could match that gripe of vengeance, or keep pace Loud rings the ponderous ram against the walls; Now shake the ramparts, now a buttress falls, But still no breach- "Once more, one mighty swing Of all your beams, together thundering!" There the wall shakes; the shouting troops exult "Quick, quick discharge your weightiest catapult Right on that spot, and Neksheb is our own!" Above, below, I what can this stillness mean? In this blank stillness, checks the troops awhile. The well-known Silver Veil! - "'Tis he, 'tis he, Young Azim from his steed springs to the ground- Eager he darts to meet the demon foe, Then, with a bound, rushes on Azim's spear, "I meant not, Azim,” soothingly she said, As on his trembling arm she lean'd her head, And, looking in his face, saw anguish there Beyond all wounds the quivering flesh can bear"I meant not thou shouldst have the pain of this ; Though death, with thee thus tasted, is a bliss Thou wouldst not rob me of, didst thou but know How oft I've pray'd to God I might die so! But the fiend's venom was too scant and slow; To linger on were maddening and I thought If once that Veil nay, look not on it - caught The eyes of your fierce soldiery, I should be Struck by a thousand death-darts instantly. But this is sweeter — oh, believe me, yes I would not change this sad, but dear caress, This death within thy arms I would not give For the most smiling life the happiest live! All, that stood dark and drear before the eye Of my stray'd soul, is passing swiftly by: A light comes o'er me from those looks of love, Like the first dawn of mercy from above; And if thy lips but tell me I'm forgiven, Angels will echo the blest words in heaven! But live, my Azim; · oh! to call thee mine Thus once again! my Azim dream divine! Thy Zelica hereafter would be sweet, |