"My slave, Zuleika!—nay, I'm thine:

But, gentle love, this transport calm,

Thy lot shall yet be linked with mine;

I swear it by our Prophet's shrine,[gj]

And be that thought thy sorrow's balm.670

So may the Koran[163] verse displayed

Upon its steel direct my blade,

In danger's hour to guard us both,

As I preserve that awful oath!

The name in which thy heart hath prided

Must change; but, my Zuleika, know,

That tie is widened, not divided,

Although thy Sire's my deadliest foe.

My father was to Giaffir all

That Selim late was deemed to thee;680

That brother wrought a brother's fall,

But spared, at least, my infancy!

And lulled me with a vain deceit

That yet a like return may meet.

He reared me, not with tender help,

But like the nephew of a Cain;[164]

He watched me like a lion's whelp,

That gnaws and yet may break his chain.

My father's blood in every vein

Is boiling! but for thy dear sake690

No present vengeance will I take;

Though here I must no more remain.

But first, beloved Zuleika! hear

How Giaffir wrought this deed of fear.