CANTO THE FIRST XI |
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CANTO THE FIRSTXI
"What! not receive my foolish flower?
Nay then I am indeed unblest:
On me can thus thy forehead lower?
And know`st thou not who loves thee best?
Oh, Selim dear! oh, more than dearest!
Say is it me thou hat`st or fearest?
Come, lay thy head upon my breast,
And I will kiss thee into rest,
Since words of mine, and songs must fail
Ev`n from my fabled nightingale.
I knew our sire at times was stern,
But this from thee had yet to learn:
Too well I know he loves thee not;
But is Zuleika`s love forgot?
Ah! deem I right? the Pacha`s plan —
This kinsman Bey of Carasman
Perhaps may prove some foe of thine:
If so, I swear by Mecca`s shrine,
If shrines that ne`er approach allow
To woman`s step admit her vow,
Without thy free consent, command,
The Sultan should not have my hand!
Think`st though that I could bear to part
With thee, and learn to halve my heart?
Ah! were I sever`d from thy side,
Where were thy friend — and who my guide?
Years have not seen, Time shall not see
The hour that tears my soul from thee:
Even Azrael, from his deadly quiver
When flies that shaft, and fly it must,
That parts all else, shall doom for ever
Our hearts to undivided dust!"
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