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CANTO THE FIRSTV
No sound from Selim`s lip was heard,
At least that met old Giaffir`s ear,
But every frown and every word
Pierced keener than a Christian`s sword.
"Son of a slave! — reproach`d with fear!
Those gibes had cost another dear.
Son of a slave! and who my sire?"
Thus held his thoughts their dark career,
And glances ev`n of more than ire
Flash forth, then faintly disappear.
Old Giaffir gazed upon his son
And started; for within his eye
He read how much his wrath had done;
He saw rebellion there begun:
"Come hither, boy — what, no reply?
I mark thee — and I know thee too;
But there be deeds thou dar`st not do:
But if thy beard had manlier length,
And if thy hand had skill and strength,
I`d joy to see thee break a lance,
Albeit against my own perchance."
As sneeringly these accents fell,
On Selim`s eye he fiercely gazed:
That eye return`d him glance for glance,
And proudly to his sire`s was raised,
Till Giaffir`s quail`d and shrunk askance —
And why — he felt, but durst not tell.
"Much I misdoubt this wayward boy
Will one day work me more annoy:
I never loved him from his birth,
And — but his arm is little worth,
And scarcely in the chase could cope
With timid fawn or antelope,
Far less would venture into strife
Where man contends for fame and life —
I would not trust that look or tone:
No — nor the blood so near my own.
That blood — he hath not heard — no more —
I`ll watch him closer than before.
He is an Arab to my sight,
Or Christian crouching in the fight —
But hark! — I hear Zuleika`s voice;
Like Houris` hymn it meets mine ear:
She is the offspring of my choice;
Oh! more than ev`n her mother dear,
With all to hope, and nought to fear —
My Peri! — ever welcome here!
Sweet, as the desert fountain`s wave,
To lips just cool`d in time to save —
Such to my longing sight art thou;
Nor can they waft to Mecca`s shrine
More thanks for life, than I for thine,
Who blest thy birth, and bless thee now."
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