CANTO THE SECOND XXI |
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CANTO THE SECONDXXI
"His head and faith from doubt and death
Return`d in time my guard to save;
Few heard, none told, that o`er the wave
From isle to isle I roved the while:
And since, though parted from my band
Too seldom now I leave the land,
No deed they`ve done, nor deed shall do,
Ere I have heard and doom`d it too:
I form the plan, decree the spoil,
`Tis fit I oftener share the toil.
But now too long I`ve held thine ear;
Time presses, floats my bark, and here
We leave behind but hate and fear.
To-morrow Osman with his train
Arrives — to-night must break thy chain:
And wouldst thou save that haughty Bey,
Perchance, his life who gave the thine,
With me this hour away — away!
But yet, though thou art plighted mine,
Wouldst thou recall thy willing vow,
Appall`d by truth imparted now,
Here rest I — not to see thee wed:
But be that peril on my head!"
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