CANTO THE SECOND XXIII |
|
CANTO THE SECONDXXIII
Dauntless he stood — "`Tis come — soon past —
One kiss, Zuleika — `tis my last:
But yet my band not far from shore
May hear this signal, see the flash;
Yet now too few — the attempt were rash:
No matter — yet one effort more."
Forth to the cavern mouth he stept;
His pistol`s echo rang on high,
Zuleika started not nor wept,
Despair benumb`d her breast and eye! —
"They hear me not, or if they ply
Their oars, `tis but to see me die;
That sound hath drawn my foes more nigh.
Then forth my father`s scimitar,
Thou ne`er hast seen less equal war!
Farewell, Zuleika! — Sweet! retire:
Yet stay within — here linger safe,
At thee his rage will only chafe.
Stir not — lest even to thee perchance
Some erring blade or ball should glance.
Fear`st though for him? — may I expire
If in this strife I seek thy sire!
No — though by him that poison pour`d:
No — though again he call me coward!
But tamely shall I meet their steel?
No — as each crest save his may feel!"
|
