Canto XII

Meanwhile Almansaris, her soul on fire,
Wild passion raging in her fiery breast,
Seeks on her damask couch assuasive rest :
In vain — wild groans the demon of desire,
The strange adventures of that shameful night
Illusive all : a man thy beauty slight !
Behold, Almansaris ! thy wondrous charms !
Sigh for another — fly thy opening arms !
And scorn thee to thy face ? — vain dream that mock'd the sight !

These thoughts to maddening rage her soul inflame :
Death, tenfold death, shall expiate the offence !
How loath'd the monster that bewitch'd her sense !
A dragon seems far lovelier to the dame.
Now pride and jealousy the wretch detest,
The furious fit now dies, by love supprest —
Desire and vengeance swift as thought succeed :
Before her, drop by drop, the wretch shall bleed! —
Now, in her arms enchain'd, she dies upon his breast !

Now, while enchanting loveliness adorns,
He comes the first of all the sons of earth,
A hero, god, surpassing human birth.
He, Ibrahim's nephew ! love that treason scorns ;
His port majestick, awe-attemper'd grace,
And bold demeanour, each reveals a trace
Of that high rank he labours to conceal.
Plain on his brow proud nature stamps the seal,
That marks the king ordain'd to rule man's subject race.

Of all the sons of earth, he, he alone
Form'd for the heaven of her infolding arms :
She wields no thunderbolt to blast the charms
That round his heart have magick fetters thrown,
And dare awhile her victory oppose.
Rise, fair Almansaris ! thy charms disclose ;
Let him in idle pride his plumes expand,
And with heroick scorn thy pow'r withstand,
O'er souls thus hard to tame the pride of victory glows.

Revive, Almansaris ! assail his heart
With native charms by beauty self-possest :
Assur'd of victory, from their pow'r divest
The vain parade of adventitious art;
Let art and all her retinue retire :
Flash on his sight what gods themselves desire :
Then, if the rebel scorn — -arise! 'tis time —
Queen! arm offended pride — avenge the crime !
And in the traitour's blood allay indignant ire !

So whispers from the sly Nadina's lips,
The litttle demon on this earthly round,
Who, with full quiver, sits in triumph crown'd,
And ere he wings the dart with venom tips :
His poison'd bowl the madd'ning world inflames !
Who knows him not the insidious fiend proclaims
The god of love — ah ! how unjustly call'd!
Ye artless simple maidens ! list, appal'd,
For he, who better knows, that fiend, Asmodeus, names,

Almansaris, in whose empassion'd blood
A sly seducer creeps, her soul resigns,
Follows where'er th' infernal fiend inclines,
And sinks in willing slavery, self-subdu'd.
The breath that feeds and fans th' internal glow,
Prepares the welcome triumph of the foe.
Asmodeus conquers by a flatterer's tongue,
Closely, who winds her fathom'd thoughts among,
And weaves a subtile plan that lures with specious show.

Oh! from the lightning steal their wings of fire !
Ye hours ! O haste ! th' expected moment bring !
How slow your flight, tho' sped with lightning wing!
How lingering for the wish of wild desire !—
Yet not alone the fair sultana deems
Time's pinion chain'd— each lingering moment seems
To Huon's sense in iron fetters bound :
For, ah I three loath'd long days must circle round,
And, sleeping or awake, his soul of Rezia dreams.

At last, oh joy ! the second morn arose,
Rose to the longing of the harem queen :
In golden pomp along the blue serene
Bright morn before her like a herald goes,
Proud to announce the triumph of the fair :
Fresh through the myrtles breathes the fragrant air,
Which, thickly twin'd, the loveliest grot surround :
And thousand tuneful trills of birds resound,
That from the neighboring wood a thousand echoes bear.

Yet nought is heard around the myrtle grove,
Where stands in twilight shade the shrine of rest,
Save (to her mate, close billing breast to breast)
The love-breath'd murmur of the turtle-dove :
Here, unprofan'd by stranger footsteps rude,
In the dark seat of hidden solitude,
The fair sultana at the morning hour
Not seldom haunts the solitary bow'r,
To bathe where pleasant shades the glaring sun exclude,

The balmy spirit of the breeze of morn
From restless dreams impatient Hassan drew,
While others slept, his labours to renew,
And with fresh flow'rs his blooming wreaths adorn,
Gift to the harem beauties day by day.
A panting negro meets him on the way,
Bids him with flow'rets deck the lonely cave ;
And adds, to spur him on, that in the wave
A fav'rite lady there will bathe without delay.

To execute the slavish task enjoin'd,
With loitering step incurious Huon goes;
His largest basket fills with fragrant rows,
Sweet Flora's various treasures intertwined,
And unsuspicious at th' appointed hour
Bears the fresh tribute to the fav'rite bow'r —
Yet instant at his entrance in the grot,
Seiz'd by strange awe he fain would fly the spot,
Drawn back by viewless arm, and. force of magick pow'r.

Surpris'd he casts his basket on the ground :
Yet soon recovering laughs at idle fear;
Then with firm footstep draws the grotto near.
The doubtful glimmers that his eye confound,
And thousand twinkling spots of changeful light,,
That in the grove, with solid darkness fight,
Suddenly struck his soul with vain alarm :
'Tis past : he hastes, the basket on his arm,
Where day's expanding beams steal gradual on his- sight.

Here form'd for artful love's sequester'd scene,
On stolen joys a magick daylight beams :
Nor day, nor twilight — yet more lovely gleams
The soften'd tint that floated both between :
Mild as the light that through the rosy bower
Glides from the moon at midnight's cloudless hour,
Melting her silver orb in paly red :
Yet here, where no suspicion wakes a dread,
He thrills in strange suspense as tranc'd by magick pow'r.

And nothing can the doubtful knight persuade
That art's superfluous care must deck the bow'r,
Where nature pour'd profuse each varied flow'r— -
And, while his eye in pleasing wonder stray'd
Around, unweetingly from side to side,
How paint his feelings, when the youth descry'd,
Where in the bow'r. beneath th' enchanting light,
A Houri form, reposing, met his sight,
And loveliest charms displayed in beauty's dazzling pride.

Her veil of gauze, loose floating, like a shade
That on an alabaster image plays,
Waves here and there before his ravish'd gaze,
And seems to add, by highest art array'd,
To each seductive charm a modest grace.
Oh ! cease, presumptuous Muse ! nor dare to trace,
Charms where a Titian's trembling pencil falls !
The knight enchanted views — each look enthralls !—
Oh ! close th' insatiate eye ! — Oh ! fly the baneful place !

Sweetly deluded by her winning air,
He thinks, (one moment scarce the thought endures)
So wondrous fair the form that sense allures,
'Tis Rezia's self — what other form so fair ?
But, doubtful of his bliss, with wild alarms
Ie nearer glides — he sees a stranger's charms !
Almansaris ! — he turns, he flies the place —
Yet flying, feels at once her warm embrace —
Feels round his body wreath'd her fond encircling arms.

E'en in those arras heroick Huon fights
Pure virtue's hardest strife — the war of truth,
Unshaken constancy, and fiery youth,
With beauty, grace, and wanton warm delights.
Pure in intention — there no blame can rest :
" His cheek no blush of willing guilt confest —
But will he long withstand her touching pray'r ?
How shall frail youth resist the matchless fair,
Whose tender wild embrace close chains him to her breast ?

Where is thy lily wand, O fairy king !
Thy horn, to rescue from seductive death ?
He calls Amanda with empassion'd breath-
Saints ! angels ! Oberon ! protection bring !
To virtue's call kind Heaven in pity bent.
Yet ere he feels each laboring sinew spent,
Yet ere he feels her all-subduing charms,
And the warm magick of her glowing arms,
Sudden Almansor comes by fate propitious sent.

Like a wild beast, the arrow in the wound,
Rack'd by the pang of unsuccessful love,
With restless step, uncertain where to rove,
The king had pac'd the garden round and round.
Mere chance conducts him to the myrtle shade :
He thinks he hears, as passing by the glade,
The fair sultana's voice within the wood :
And, as the grotto's gate half open stood,
He enters unoppos'd — what now the dame shall aid ?

The watchful fiend, who arms against the knight
The subtlest beauty that e'er lur'd to love,
Bodes by the footstep echoing in the grove,
That soon the king will rush upon their sight.—
" Help me! oh! help!" her thrilling shrieks exclaim :
At once her part is chang'd— the artful dame
Seems, wild with rage, her honour to defend,
With Huon's struggling arms her arms contend :
She combats force with force, nor yields to guilty shame.

Her wild strange look, her rent disorder'd veil,
Her streaming hair — the youth who silent stood
Guilt-charg'd, within the interdicted wood,
And, as if pierc'd with lightning, deadly pale,
While from her lips unanswer'd falsehoods flow ;
All fatally conspire with specious show,
To mark his guilt, and aid th' insidious fair —
" Alia be prais'd !" she cries with pious air,
" 'Tis to Almansor's self that more than life I owe!"

And when the wanton in her fluttering veil
Had swiftly rapt her charms, with mien and tone,
Suited to truth and innocence alone,
She feigns with lying lip a specious tale :
Feigns that this hidden shameless Christian son,
What time at early dawn, all eyes to shun,
She came to bathe in this sequester'd place,
Had dar'd to clasp her in his bold embrace :
How she had fought — and fail'd — ah ! but for him undone !

From vile reproach to free the virtuous youth,
Thus shamefully by lying lip accus'd,
Ask'd but one look, impartial, unabus'd :
Rage that inflam'd his judge, obscur'd the truth.
The hero scorns to clear his spotless fame,
Nor will redeem his life by female shame.
Calmly he yields his arms to galling chains ;
And mute an awful dignity maintains,
Wrapt in internal worth, and conscience void of blame.

The king, whom hopeless love revengeful made,
Sullen and unconcern'd beholds the knight—
" Drag him away in fetters from my sight !
" Seize him! ye slaves!" — the slaves his word obey'd.
" This night in bitterness of anguish past,
" Deep in the gloomiest vault the traitour cast !
" And when the iman summons from the tower,
" At morn let raging flames the wretch devour !
" Then with dire curses strew his ashes to the blast !"

Huon in silence hears him undismay'd,
And darting at the dame a glance of fire,
Hastes from her sight, impatient to retire,
With look where conscious innocence portray'd
A soul that knew no guilt, no torture fear'd.
No light the melancholy dungeon cheer'd :
Weigh'd down in heavy chains he waits his doom,
His spirit droops beneath the death-like gloom,
Where not a transient gleam of distant hope appear'd.

The wretch o'erpower'd with fate's incessant blows,
No hope to sooth th' inexorable doom,
Bids pitying death unclose th' oblivious tomb,
And lay at last his spirit to repose.
Does feeble nature dread the tort'ring fire?
Unconquer'd love can fearless strength inspire,
And bid the soul on wing celestial soar —
" Faith and unshaken love till death I swore :
" True, to Amanda true, her Huon shall expire.

" O thou belov'd ! O might my doom of death
" Remain from thee eternally conceal'd !
" To thee, my trusty liegeman ! unreveal'd :
" Oh that unwept might flow my parting breath !
" Then would I joyful meet the raging flame.
" But if ye hear what hostile tongues proclaim,
" Crimes that my soul abhorr'd — if rumour'd guilt
" Embitter tears by tender pity spilt,
" Oh ! if ye grieve that death has clos'd a life of shame !

" Spare me! stern god! distress too great to bear.
" Fierce king of terrours ! haste ! let pangs unknown
" For every guilty deed at last atone !
" I bow, nor weary Heaven with fruitless prayer.
" But to the friend thou lov'd'st one favour deign,
" Protect me, Oberon ! from disgraceful stain !
" Protect Amanda — all to thee is known :
" Say that I brav'd stern death for her alone,
" And to confirm my vow hell's fiery proof sustain."

Thus he exclaims, reposing on the thought
That Oberon will at least his death-sigh hear.
When softly sliding from the nightly sphere,
His dewy wreath with nodding poppies wrought,
The soother of all sorrow deigns descend,
And o'er his flinty couch in pity bend :
Perchance the elfine king, in pledge of peace,
Pledge that each torturing pang shall swiftly cease,
Shook from his viewless wing the dream that sooth'd his friend.

When half the world lay wrapt in sleepless night,
A jarring sound the startled hero wakes :
With grating keys the dungeon hoarsely shakes,
The iron door expands : a paly light
Gleams through the vaults, at distance dim descried:
He hears a step draw near — in beauty's pride
A female comes — wide floats her glistening gown,
Her hand sustains a lamp, her head a crown :
Lo ! the sultana's self stands graceful at his side !

The smiling queen her beauteous hand extends —
" Wilt thou forgive that counterfeited part,
" When dire necessity belied my heart ?
" O thou belov'd ! my life on thine depends !
" Oh ! let this act that transient ill atone !
" Spite of thy struggles here I come alone,
" From death to snatch thee, from that flaming pyre,
" Where the stern tyrant dooms thee to expire,
" And raise thee to the height thou well deserv'st— a throne.

" Arise ! for thee the sunny paths expand
" Of empire — love conducts thee — wake to fame !
" Let glory to the world thy deeds proclaim.
" Go, where love guides thee by this proffer'd hand.
" The ruthless tyrant dies ! his guards retreat !
" His slaves, like dust, shall fall before thy feet —
" The harem to my nod obedience yields :
" Love opes thy prison, love thy bosom shields :
" Go forth ! what love has dar'd, heroick youth ! complete,"

' Desist, O queen ! the plan thou deign'st propose,
' Barbs with new pangs the shaft of tort'ring pain.
' Ah ! why against my will my soul constrain
' To scorn each gift that from thy bounty flows !
' No deed of guilt shall these vile fetters loose !' —
" Can folly thus," she cried, " thy soul abuse ?
" Wretch ! while destruction tow'rs before thy sight,
" And on yon pile death waves thy funeral light,
" Canst thou my proffer'd hand, and throne at once refuse?"

' Tell me,' the hero answers, ' tell me, queen !
' If I can aid thee by my flowing blood,
' I at thy feet will pour the vital flood :
' And, mark ! beyond vain words, in action seen,
' That no ungrateful wretch before thee lies —
' My life is thine — accept the sacrifice —
' From honour, faith, I never can depart :
' Thou know'st me not — forget not who thou art !
' Nor ask, oh vain request ! what fate itself denies !'

But more inflam'd, the more exalted truth
And virtue strengthen his heroick heart,
The wily wanton tries each subtile art,
To bend the spirit of th' unconquer'd youth.
Now lures, now threatens, falls his feet before :
What rage and love suggest, tries o'er and o'er,
In madd'ning passion lost — yet nothing gains.
His stedfast soul immoveable remains,
" True to the vow that love to chaste Amanda swore.

" Die ! since thou wilt," she cries with breathless ire,
" I, I will stand in triumph o'er thy pile,
" And on thy death-pang feast my scornful smile !
" Victim of sullen pride ! dull fool ! expire !"
She speaks, and curses loud the luckless hour
When first she felt his fascinating pow'r.
Wild foams her lip, her eyes like lightning glare,
She flies away in merciless despair,
And stern behind her locks the hoarse-resounding tow'r.

Meanwhile report, whose murmurs never fail
To gain fresh vigour as they circle round,
Swelling from ear to ear the echoed sound,
To Sherasmin and Fatma brought the tale—
The beauteous Hassan, all alike proclaim,
Was seiz'd, sad wretch ! devoid of grace and shame !
Was by the sultan seiz'd upon the spot,
With fair Almansaris within the grot,
And will to-morrow feast the guilt-avenging flame.

If free from guilt their much-lov'd master dies,
They scorn to ask — to them the truth was known —
Yet, had he sinn'd, their hearts had pity shown :
Faith glories in the test when misery tries.
They shed not fruitless tears in vain lament ;
Pledg'd to endure the unforeseen event,
Both vow to free him from the gaping tomb,
Or, if the effort fail, to share his doom :
Both, with their much lov'd lord, at once to die content.

In short, ere morning's fatal light arose,
The plan succeeds that Fatma's courage weaves :
Her cautious vigilance the guard deceives.
She slides where Rezia rock'd to soft repose,
Tranc'd in fond dreams of Huon sweetly sleeps.
Joy, that in tears of thrilling rapture steeps
The long-lost friends, awhile their speech supprest—
" He lives !" bursts forth from Fatma's struggling breast,
" The hero lives !" she cries, then hangs her head and weeps.

' What say'st thou ?' wild with joy Amanda cries,
And falls upon her neck — my Huon near !
' Where is he ? — Fatma, speak !' — " Tis death to hear !"
With interrupting sobs the nurse replies —
" Help thy lov'd lord ! — rend, rend his bonds in twain !
" Burst ope his prison, haste ! or help is vain —
" For thee he falls !— Death hovers o'er the youth !"—
Then she relates how firm his fearless truth,
And what mad rage inflames the fair sultana's brain.

" Already tow'rs on high the fatal pyre :
" No power on earth can rescue from the grave,
" If Zoradine should fail the wretch to save."—
The pangs of death Amanda's shriek inspire :
Rous'd in wild haste she rushes from her bed,
Casts o'er her limbs a night-gown loosely spread,
Bound by a girdle to her throbbing breast ;
Bursts through the slaves that guard the sultan's rest,
And to Almansor's couch is swift as lightning sped.

Wing'd with wild haste her Huon's life to save,
Low at the sultan's feet Amanda bends ;
Down her pale cheek the gushing tear descends,
And floating ringlets o'er her bosom wave.
"Oh! let me not, Almansor ! beg in vain!
" And, bow'd before thee, fruitlessly complain !
" If yet this wretched life deserve thy care,
" Swear thou will grant my first, my only pray'r!
" My peace depends on thee — do thou these tears restrain !

Pleas'd and surpris'd, he cries, ' O maid divine !
' Name but thy wish, and instantly receive !
' Oh ! speak ! nor let a doubt thy bosom grieve !
' I live to please thee— -all I have is thine —
' Lo ! at thy feet my realm, my wealth, my throne :
' But one sole treasure Mansor calls his own,
' Let me thy charms, celestial maid ! secure —
" Swear it." — ' By Alia !' swears the love-tranc'd Moor,
" Then grant me Hassan's life ! but that, and that alone !"

" What !' as with troubled mien he backward bends,
What have thy lips, rash fair ! unweeting said ?
" Ah ! what to thee that slave's detested head ? '—
" Almansor ! on his life, my life depends !"— -
" On him ! thou idly rav'st !' the king replies:
" Wake from thisfev'rous dream — the wretch despise —
" Abuse not thus the right that beauty gave :
" Love's boundless right — ah ! what to thee a slave,
" Who suffers for his crime ?' — " For truth alone he dies.

" He dies unsullied by disgraceful deeds ;
" True to his faith, he stood the dangerous test :
" Yet, were he base, oh spare this guiltless breast
" That in his pangs with equal misery bleeds !" —
While kindling anger sparkles in his eyes,
' Relentless Zoradine !' the sultan cries,
' Why torture thus my soul with dread delay ?
' What hidden secret glimmers into day ?
' Ah ! what to thee that slave ? unfold without disguise!'

" Since thus compell'd, my voice proclaims the truth,
" Lo ! here his wife ! Indissoluble bands,
" Not form'd on earth, the web of heavenly hands,
" Bind me for ever to this much-lov'd youth —
" Sultan ! we bend beneath the load of fate,
" That galls us, day by day, with added weight :
" Blest as thou art, thou soon may'st feel the blow —
" Oh ! witness of these tears ! respect my wo,
" Thou happy one ! relent ! — oh ! save, ere yet too late!"

' Thou Hassan's wife ? and lov'st him ?' — " Above all !"
" Scorn the base wretch ! the traitour is untrue.'—
" Not so ! — the death he meets with fearless view
" Springs from his truth, 'tis faith compels his fall!"—
" These eyes beheld his guilt !' — " A wily snake
" Deceived him and thyself — From errour wake !
With countenance on fire Almansor cries,
" Too conscious of thy charms, yet, yet be wise !
' Proud dame ! the bow o'erstrain'd, at last will surely break !

' He dies ! his fate is fixt — I share thy grief.' —
" Dies !" Rezia shrieks, " this tyrant ! to his wife !
" When but a word from thee redeems his life ?
" And still thy ruthless soul denies relief!"
' He spurn'd the harem's law. The guilty slave
' Must die — stern justice hurls him to the grave.
' Yet, since thou wilt, the lot of life and death
' Waits on thy word — fate hangs upon thy breath :
' Thy voice shall fix his doom, destroy the wretch, or save.

' Oh let ray soul from thine th' example trace,
' Sooth with complying smile my wounded peace,
' The sufferings thou hast caus'd, oh ! bid them cease !
' And deign my crown upon thy temples place.
' Oh ! be but mine ! the traitour's guilt, though great,
' Is pardon'd — royal gifts on Hassan wait :
' So let him to his race in peace retire —
' The mercy thou demand'st, do thou inspire :
' One word decrees at once both mine and Hassan's fate!'

Scorn and indignant rage her bosom burn—
" The man I love avoids not death by shame ;
" The man I love prefers not life to fame.
" Tyrant ! my basest slave would proudly spurn
" Thee and thy throne at price of infamy :
" My basest slave thy baffled rage defy:
" With tort' ring pangs, my blood, barbarian ! spill ;
" Yet vain thy threats, I bow not to thy will !
" Barbarian ! vain thy rage — I also know to die."

The strength of her exalted spirit awes
His coward heart — her threats the tyrant mov'd,
More than her pray'rs ; but most the rage of love :
Beauty the wretch in base subjection draws —
Vain every art to bribe her steady mind !
How did he pray, how serpentinely wind
With mean submission prostrate at her feet !
What vows, what offers, threats and pray'rs repeat!
Threats, offers, pray'rs, she scorns, to welcome death resigned.

She death prefers — and turns iii scorn away—
The sultan swears aloud by Mahom's grave,
No pow'r on earth her forfeit life shall save,
If yet her haughty soul his will delay !—
' Yes — thou shalt yield, or may I here expire !
' May Alia plunge me in eternal fire !
The guards at distance hear the maniack cry,
' Resolve, this instant ! at a word comply !
' Or, with the wretch accurs'd, ascend the funeral pyre !

Silent she eyes him with indignant mien —
' Resolve !' again his frantick voice exclaims :—
" But free me from thy sight ! surrounding flames,
" And death, terrifick death ! less hateful seen.
Almansor, maddening with revengeful ire,
Thunders the word that dooms her to expire,
While in his flaming eye hell fiercely glows :
Down to the dust the negro ruler bows,
And swears with slavish fear, " 'Tis done ! his lord's desire,"

Already pil'd the dreadful shrine appears,
Rear'd for the fatal offering — Throng on throng,
Already anxious thousands flock along,
To steep in pity's sympathizing tears
The eye that lingers willingly delay'd,
Where deeds of painful horrour rise displayed.
Already stand before the martyr-stake
The pair that perish for each other's sake,
The pair, sole faithful found, by tortures undismay'd.

Twin souls from mutual love that melt in one,
And true and faithful to their vow remain,
And rather death mid tort'ring pangs sustain,
Than mount by base inconstancy a throne.
The crowd, with piteous look and tortur'd heart,
Take in their fate a sympathetic part :
Yet fearful, lest some hazard intervene,
To check the tears that sooth the tragick scene,
And warm from pity's fount, at sight of misery start.

Alas ! the wretched solace is denied,
As bound in torturing cords the lovers lie,
Turn'd face to face to mix the farewell sigh.
Yet heav'nly bliss the present pang defy'd,
And proudly triumph'd o'er the dread unknown :
How blest to die for love and faith alone !
Death, that assails them in their youthful bloom,
With love's eternal laurel shades their tomb.
Death is their mutual choice — their mutual scorn a throne.

Twelve negroes, pair by pair, in dread array
Wave high their torches tipt with blazing fire,
And stand in act to light the funeral pyre.
The aga nods — the slaves his nod obey-
Loud from the welkin sudden thunders ring :
Earth totters, lightnings flash with fiery wing :
Quench'd are the torturing flames — like singed hair
The cords consume that bound th' heroick pair,
And lo ! round Huon's neck the horn is seen to swing.

And at the instant, mid th' eventful scene,
Almansor and Almansaris appear,
With echoing outcry loud, and mad career:
To shield her Hassan flies th' impatient queen ;
To Zoradine, Almansor. — Swift advance
Their separate troops with dagger and with lance :
And there a dauntless knight, like death to view,
With naked falchion mid th' affrighted crew,
In sable armour mail'd, darts with indignant glance.

No sooner had the grateful knight beheld,
With joyful ardour seen, the ivory horn,
Sweet pledge of fairy grace, his neck adorn,
Than with melodious whisper gently swell'd,
His lip entices forth the sweetest tone
That ever breath'd through magick ivory blown :
He scorns to doom a coward race to death.
" Dance ! till ye weary gasp, deprived of breath —
" Huon permits himself this slight revenge alone."

As sounds the horn, a fascinating trance
Seizes the mob that round the scaffold prest ;
Half-naked, swarthy, ragged rogues at best,
They spin like madmen in the whirling dance.
Now with his negro set the aga raves,
Wide and more wide the giddy circle waves :
Whoe'er has foot to caper in the sport,
Frisks it away, in city, harem, court,
E'en from the sultan's self to water-bearing slaves.

The sheik unwilling seizes by the arm
The harem queen— their struggles nought avail ;
Alike his scorn, and her reluctance fail :
Tranc'd by the magick horn's provoking charm,
The royal pair fantastick capers wage-
In short, all Tunis maddens to engage :
None can remain unshaken on their seat.
Gout, dropsy, asthma, bound with equal heat,
Nor death's convulsive pang escapes the merry rage.

Meanwhile regardless of this puppet play,
The faithful pair by mutual virtue grac'd,
Tranc'd with pure bliss each other long embrac'd :
Can speech their boundless extasy convey :
Their souls to heavenly bliss sublimely soar :
The mournful dream out-dreamt, the trial o'er,
Nought but its memory left to grace their love :
Their guilt aton'd, consenting heavens approve,
And reunite the pair that fate shall part no more.

Blest in their mutual bliss, upon his steed
The trusty Sherasmin (the sable knight)
Melts while their souls dissolve in pure delight.
'Twas Sherasmin who flew with lightning speed,
At hazard of his life, their lives to save,
He singly dar'd the coward million brave.
And if his arm had fail'd beneath the strife,
He at their feet had rendered up his life,
Resolv'd their doom to change, or find a willing grave.

Downward he springs, and with exalted air,
Amid the dance, with Fatma thither flown,
Hastens to help the lovers from their throne,
And with triumphant pride receive the pair.
With heart-felt joy the friends long-sever'd meet ;
But higher still their throbbing pulses beat,
When through the air the swan-wing'd chariot flew,
And as they gaz'd still near and nearer drew,
Then lightly touch'd the ground, descending at their feet.

They mount the car — the Moors may ceaseless prance
Long as such fancies please the fairy king :
Though Sherasmin, who views the giddy ring,
Think that to delve the dike, not weave the dance,
Were better pastime for that roguish crew.
Th' aerial steeds their noiseless course pursue ;
Nimble as thought itself, and soft as sleep,
O'er land and sea their pinions smoothly sweep,
While zephyrs fan the clouds that round the chariot flew.

Already they behold where twilight sweeps
Her veil of shapeless mist o'er mount and hill :
And see the moon admire her image still
In many a lake that calm beneath her sleeps.
Night far and wide her silent shadow flings,
As earthward gradual with descending wings
The self-reign'd swans their course celestial leave :
When, as if woven from the rosy eve,
Radiant before their sight a floating palace springs !

Girt with a pleasant grove, sweet shades between
Where arching rose-trees meet in wavy play,
Appear'd the palace whose alluring ray
Bright through the wood's overshadowing foliage seen,
Diffus'd around its wide resplendent light. —
" This, was not this the place ?"soft-breath'd the knight :
Yet, ere he forms the sound, a golden gate
At once expands, and lo ! in graceful state,
Twice ten fair virgins float before their ravish'd sight.

With ever-blooming cheeks the virgins move,
Beauteous as May, and deck'd in robes of snow ;
And hail, triumphant from the world of wo,
The pair whom Oberon greets with boundless love.
To graceful measures glides the choral throng,
And truth's immortal guerdon swells the song —
" Come, faithful pair!" (while golden cymbals ring,
Light as they weave the dance, and sweetly sing)
" Blest pair ! receive this wreath ! to you these flowers belong,"

The lovers, scarce themselves, in blissful trance
Rapt in another world, float hand in hand,
"Where rang'd on either side the virgins stand :
There, as a sun, before their dazzled glance.
And like a bridegroom rob'd in radiant sheen,
The fairy monarch stood with graceful mien.
No more in sweet disguise, a lovely child ;
On youth's full bloom eternal beauty smil'd,
And sparkling on his hand th' enchanted ring is seen.

Titania, by his side, with roses wreath'd,
Gleams like a bride in moonlight's modest ray ;
Their wedded hands a myrtle crown display :—
" Take," with sweet tone their souls harmonious breath'd,
" Thou faithful pair ! for you alone decreed,
" This well-earn'd chaplet, victory's heav'nly meed !
" Receive from friendly hands the gift divine !
" And long as ye retain this favour'd sign,
" So never from your hearts shall happiness recede !"

Scarce had the fairy king the word exprest,
Than from the air a cloud is seen to bend :
Three elfine sisters from its lap descend,
Each with a lily waving o'er her breast :
Soft to the play of golden harps they glide :
With these a child of wondrous grace descry'd ;
The kneeling nymphs present him to their queen:
Titania o'er him bows her smiling mien,
Then with a kiss restores to Huon's breathless bride.

And mid the songs of that angelic band
That rang'd before them glide in graceful row,
And, as they step, their path with roses strow,
They float where Oberon's golden gates expand,
And reach the throne where joys eternal dwell.
But what they saw and heard, no tongue can tell :
Yet what the lip, entranc'd in bliss, supprest,
Spoke in their grateful look to heaven add rest,
Spoke in their lifted eye, whence tears of rapture fell.

Soft in a sleep enchanting died away
The holy dream — and arm in arm, at morn,
Upon a bank of moss, as newly born,
They found themselves, fresh rising with the ray :
In rich caparison and stately pride,
Four milk-white steeds stood prancing by their side:
And there in heaps upon the bushes round,
Stores of bright armour, and rich robes were found :
Armour for princely knight, and robes for royal bride.

The knight, whoseheart with boundless rapture leaps,
Rouses from deep repose his trusty squire :
Amanda's eye with look of fond desire
Hangs o'er her smiling babe, who softly sleeps
In Fatma's lap — entranc'd they gaze around —
The wondrous scenes their doubtful sense confound —
" Where," cries his ravish'd liegeman, " in what land,
" Where are we ? — lo ! what well-known scenes expand !
" Look to the west, and say, in what delightful ground?'

Scarce can Sir Huon trust his wondering gaze —
He who had much experienc'd, he whose eyes
Had look'd on miracles without surprise,
Beholds the real scene with strange amaze —
Whe winding streams of Seine before him roll !
The towers of Paris fascinate his soul !—
He looks again, he doubts, he rubs his brow,
Looks ever back with quick impatient glow —
" Does then no dream deceive ? — already reach'd the goal ? "

And as he views, overcome with sweet delight,
Lo ! a new scene of warlike pomp expands !
The castle rings around with glittering bands :
The trumpet summons — and before his sight,
Mail'd for the tournament, in bright attire,
Prance to the barriers many a knight and squire —
" My happiness," cries Huon, " hope exceeds !
" If no false dream my cheated eye-sight feeds,
" The tourney now invites !— haste ! Sherasmin, enquire."

The old man hastes, the while with sumptuous art
Proud Fatma decks Amanda's angel grace ;
For all that in this far and foreign place
Suited her rank, or could a charm impart
To native loveliness, in rich array,
Jewels and robes in heaps before them lay.—
Sir Huon, while his soul dissolves in bliss,
Prints on his smiling boy the frequent kiss,
And rocks him on his knee in fond parental play,

And now he sees with ever new desire
His lovely bride in splendid robes array'd,
Vainly adorn'd by art's superfluous aid :
Alike she charms in plain or rich attire—
If but a rose o'ershade her snowy breast,
If by the hand of pride, in jewels drest,
Resplendent diamonds o'er her bosom flame,
Love-breathing native beauty still the same,
In gem or simple flow'r, unrival'd grace possest.

Now Sherasmin returning brings the news—
" Three days the barriers, Sir, have open stood:
" Charles still tormented by his rancorous mood,
" With rage implacable thy shade pursues.
" Three days has fame the solemn lists proclaim'd :
" Guess what the prize of glorious victory nam'd ?
" No less than Huon's honours and estate !—
" To see thy triumph o'er opposing fate,
" Such thought has ne'er in dreams the raging king inflam'd."

' Arm, arm me I' wild with joy, Sir Huon cries,
' Most grateful news ! Now Huon lives again !
' What birth once gave, now valour shall obtain :
' Ah ! if this hand shall fail to win the prize,
' So may the emperour at his will assign,
' To one more worthy, lands that once were mine,
Amanda beams on him inspiring charms,
Her heart beats conquest, as adorn'd in arms
Radiant before her sight comes forth the man divine.

On stately steeds, Sir Huon and the fair,
Slow through the city pace in proud career :
Charm'd by their state, wherever they appear,
All eyes are fixt upon the lovely pair.
The gazing throng that fills the echoing street,
Crowds to their course ; gay shouts their presence greet.
Now at the lists the knight, his breast on flame,
To Heaven and Sherasmin commends the dame,
"And draws his vizor down, and hastes the foe to meet.

Loud acclamations ring from side to side-
Soon as he enter'd on th' appointed place,
His Warlike port, and high heroick grace,
Outshone the bravest that had dar'd abide
The dreadful fray, in dignity and pow'r.
Dark on his steed the knight was seen to low'r,
Who day by day with all-subduing force
Had lightly won the honour of the course :
Charles with his barons girt stood gazing from the tow'r.

The knight, as knight became of princely breed,
Before the emperour bends with courtly bow,
Salutes the dames, and judges in a row,
And paces round and round his fiery steed :
Then bids the heralds to the knight proclaim
A rival who contends the prize of fame —
He should have first announced his name and rank,
But as he swore he was by birth a Frank,
His oath, and princely pomp, absolve th' accustom'd claim.

Poising, he chooses from a heap of spears
One that on trial seem'd of heaviest weight,
And waving it aloft with graceful state,
Bold at his place in manly pride appears :
Amanda's throbbing breast strange fear reveals,
While many a fervent prayer in secret steals
Wing'd to the heav'nly saints and guardian spright,
I When, from the barriers loos'd, each rival knight
Spurs his impatient steed, as loud the trumpet peals.

How swell'd the rage of that indignant knight,
Who prone on earth had cast with conqu'ring lance
All 'who had dar'd within the lists advance !
How swell'd his boundless rage, in doubtful fight
Again to hazard his heroick fame !
Of Doolin of Mayence the heir he came :
Jousts were to him like huntings of the hare :
He raves, and like a bolt that fires the air,
Against Sir Huon storms with death-directed aim.

But Huon, fixt unshaken in his seat,
Confronts th' assailant in his middle course,
And striking on the breast with matchless force,
Prone hurls him sideway prostrate at his feet.
Bruis'd, scarce alive, regardless of disgrace,
His rival risks no more a second race :
Four pages from the lists the warriour bear ;
Loud peals of victory rend the shouting air,
And Huon stands alone victorious on the place.

Awhile he stands in triumph at the goal,
Lest some adventurous knight should haply bend,
And dare once more the tempting prize contend:
But none advance — how throbs our hero's soul!
He greets Amanda with impatient speed,
And guides the goddess on her stately steed.
Now at the court arriv'd with graceful air,
The warriour from the palfry lifts the fair,
And leads where shouting throngs their joyful path precede.

Up the high marble steps he leads the queen :
A veil light-hov'ring like a silver cloud,
Conceals her lovely features from the crowd —
No eye can pierce the dazzling maze between.
By keen impatience fir'd, to know how fate
Will close the scene, surrounding thousands wait.
A spacious hall expands — in council shown,
High peers, and barons bold, surround a throne
Where Charlemagne appears in proud imperial state.

Our hero lifts the helmet from his head ;
And boldly entering, like the god of day,
His golden ringlets down his armour play-
All, wond'ring, greet the youth long-mourn'd as dead.
Before the king his spirit seems to stand ;
Sir Huon with Amanda, hand in hand,
Salutes the emperour with respectful bow —
" Behold ! obedient to his plighted vow,
" Thy vassal, sovereign liege ! returning to thy land.

" For by the help of Heaven this arm has done
" What thou enjoin'dst — and lo! before thine eye
" The beard and teeth of Asia's monarch lie,
" At hazard of my life, to please thee, won ;
" And in this feir, by every peril tried,
" The heiress of his throne, my love, my bride !"—
He spoke : and lo ! at once her knight to grace,
Off falls the veil that hid Amanda's face,
And a new radiance gilds the hall from side to side.

An angel seems array'd in heavenly light,
(Yet milder than the forms that grace the sky,
Mild, so that man might gaze, nor gazing die,)
To stand confest before their wond'ring sight —
So stately, yet so lovely to behold,
Crown'd with her myrtle wreath, and silver fold,
Amanda shines — Titania deigns descend,
And joins unseen the triumph of her friend :
While every heart bows down at once by love control'd.

Charles from his throne descends, with noble grace
Bids welcome to the court the beauteous bride:
The peers that press around on every side,
The youthful hero in their arms embrace —
The youthful hero, from such perils freed,
Who home return'd, achiev'd th' adventurous deed—
The emperour clasps him with paternal hand —
" And ne'er," he cries, " be wanting to our land
" A prince like thee, to win high virtue's heavenly grace."