"Zuleika! child of Gentleness!

How dear this very day must tell,

When I forget my own distress,

In losing what I love so well,

To bid thee with another dwell:

Another! and a braver man

Was never seen in battle's van.

We Moslem reck not much of blood:200

But yet the line of Carasman[134]

Unchanged, unchangeable hath stood

First of the bold Timariot bands

That won and well can keep their lands.[fn]

Enough that he who comes to woo[fo]

Is kinsman of the Bey Oglou:[135]

His years need scarce a thought employ;

I would not have thee wed a boy.

And thou shalt have a noble dower:

And his and my united power210

Will laugh to scorn the death-firman,

Which others tremble but to scan,

And teach the messenger[136] what fate

The bearer of such boon may wait.

And now thou know'st thy father's will;

All that thy sex hath need to know:

'Twas mine to teach obedience still—

The way to love, thy Lord may show."