He lived—he breathed—he moved—he felt;

He raised the maid from where she knelt;

His trance was gone, his keen eye shone

With thoughts that long in darkness dwelt;330

With thoughts that burn—in rays that melt.

As the stream late concealed

By the fringe of its willows,

When it rushes reveal'd

In the light of its billows;

As the bolt bursts on high

From the black cloud that bound it,

Flashed the soul of that eye

Through the long lashes round it.

A war-horse at the trumpet's sound,340

A lion roused by heedless hound,

A tyrant waked to sudden strife

By graze of ill-directed knife,[fv]

Starts not to more convulsive life

Than he, who heard that vow, displayed,

And all, before repressed, betrayed:

"Now thou art mine, for ever mine,

With life to keep, and scarce with life resign;[fw]

Now thou art mine, that sacred oath,

Though sworn by one, hath bound us both.350

Yes, fondly, wisely hast thou done;

That vow hath saved more heads than one:

But blench not thou—thy simplest tress

Claims more from me than tenderness;

I would not wrong the slenderest hair

That clusters round thy forehead fair,[fx]

For all the treasures buried far

Within the caves of Istakar.[148]

This morning clouds upon me lowered,

Reproaches on my head were showered,360

And Giaffir almost called me coward!

Now I have motive to be brave;

The son of his neglected slave,

Nay, start not,'twas the term he gave,

May show, though little apt to vaunt,

A heart his words nor deeds can daunt.

His son, indeed!—yet, thanks to thee,

Perchance I am, at least shall be;

But let our plighted secret vow

Be only known to us as now.370

I know the wretch who dares demand

From Giaffir thy reluctant hand;

More ill-got wealth, a meaner soul

Holds not a Musselim's[149] control;

Was he not bred in Egripo?[150]

A viler race let Israel show!

But let that pass—to none be told

Our oath; the rest shall time unfold.

To me and mine leave Osman Bey!

I've partisans for Peril's day:380

Think not I am what I appear;

I've arms—and friends—and vengeance near."