"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?[fr]

Oh, Selim dear! oh, more than dearest!

Say, is it me thou hat'st or fearest?300

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 Carasman310

Perhaps may prove some foe of thine.

If so, I swear by Mecca's shrine,—[fs]

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 thou that I could bear to part

With thee, and learn to halve my heart?

Ah! were I severed from thy side,

Where were thy friend—and who my guide?320

Years have not seen, Time shall not see,

The hour that tears my soul from thee:[ft]

Ev'n Azrael,[147] from his deadly quiver

When flies that shaft, and fly it must,[fu]

That parts all else, shall doom for ever

Our hearts to undivided dust!"