The leafy shores and sun-bright seas, At its calm setting— when the West Had rush'd through KERMAN's almond groves, And shaken from her bowers of date That cooling feast the traveller loves,' 1 "In parts of Kerman, whatever dates are shaken from the trees by the wind they do not touch, but leave them for those who have not any, or for travellers." - Ebn Haukel. Now, lull'd to languor, scarcely curl The Green Sea wave, whose waters gleam Limpid, as if her mines of pearl Were melted all to form the stream. And her fair islets, small and bright, With their green shores reflected there, Look like those Peri isles of light, That hang by spell-work in the air. But vainly did those glories burst when, scowling near, And saw those towers all desolate, That o'er her head terrific frown'd, As if defying ev'n the smile Of that soft heaven to gild their pile. 2 The two terrible angels, Monkir and Nakir; who are called "the Searchers of the Grave" in the "Creed of the orthodox Mahometans" given by Ockley, vol. ii. In vain, with mingled hope and fear, When voices from without proclaim "HAFED, the Chief” — and, one by one, The warriors shout that fearful name! He comes the rock resounds his tread How shall she dare to lift her head, Or meet those eyes, whose scorching glare At whose loud battle-cry alone Whole squadrons oft in panic ran, Scatter'd, like some vast caravan, "The Arabians call the mandrake the Devil's candle,' on account of its shining appearance in the night.". Richardson. When, stretch'd at evening round the well, Breathless she stands, with eyes cast down, Till HAFED with a trembling hand Panting with terror, joy, surprise, 'Tis he, 'tis he the man of blood, The fellest of the Fire-fiend's brood, HAFED, the demon of the fight, Whose voice unnerves, whose glances blight, Is her own loved Gheber, mild And glorious as when first he smil'd In her lone tower, and left such beams Moments there are, and this was one, Or like those verdant spots that bloom Can bring of dark or desperate Around such hours, but makes them cast Intenser radiance while they last! Each star of Hope that cheer'd him on His glories lost his cause betray'd— IRAN, his dear-lov'd country, made A land of carcases and slaves, One dreary waste of chains and graves! To see the last, long-struggling breath |