The eye might doubt if it were well awake, But one arise,—we come, we come!" She was so like a vision ; I might err, 'Tis but the living who are dumb. “ In vain in vain : strike other chords ; " To gild refined gold, or paint the lily.”” Fill high the cup with Samian wine ! Haidée and Juan are amused, while Leave battles to the Turkish hordes, at table, by dwarfs and dancing-girls, And shed the blood of Scio's yine ! black eunuchs, and a poet, of whom Í Hark! rising to the ignoble call shall say nothing, Christopher, because How answers each bold bacchanal ! I do not think the account is very You have the Pyrrhic dance as yet, good, but his song, I am persuaded, Where is the Pyrrhic phalanx gone ? you will think is the very loftiest Of two such lessons, whý forget bachanalian ever penned-You will, The nobler and the manlier one ? indeed, although with a grumble, Í You have the letters Cadmus gavem know, allow this as if you were suffer- Think ye he meant them for a slave ? ing a jerk of your rheumatism. “ Fill high the bowl with Samian wine ! We will not think of themes like these! “ The isles of Greece, the isles of Greece, It made Anacreon's divine : song He served but served Polycrates- A tyrant; but our masters then Were still, at least, our countrymen. “ The tyrant of the Chersonese Was freedom's best and bravest friend; That tyrant was Miltiades ! Oh! that the present hour would lend Another despot of the kind ! Such chains as his were sure to bind. On Suli's rock, and Parga's shore, “ The mountains look on Marathon Exists the remnant of a line Such as the Doric mothers bore ; And there, perhaps, some seed is sown, Trust not for freedom to the Franks They have a king who buys and sells ; “A king sate on the rocky brow In native swords, and native ranks, The only hope of courage dwells ; But Turkish force, and Latin fraud, Would break your shield, however broad. Our virgins dance beneath the shade- But gazing on each glowing maid, My own the burning tear-drop laves, To think such breasts must suckle slaves. " Place me on Sunium's marbled steep Where nothing, save the waves and I, “ 'Tis something, in the dearth of fame, Though link'd among a fetter'd race, May hear our mutual murmurs sweep; To feel at least a patriot's shame, There, swan-like, let me sing and die : A land of slaves shall ne'er be mine Dash down yon cup of Sarian wine!” Must we but blush ?-Our fathers bled. in which I am going over it, that make Earth! render back from out thy breast me not able to trace it so clearly as A remnant of our Spartan dead ! might do, through digressions. Lam Of the three hundred grant but three, bro arrived while the lovers were a To make a new Thermopylæ! dinner, and we are led to suppos " What, silent still ? and silent all ? that he witnesses their dalliance an Ah ! no ;-the voices of the dead revelling; but it would seem that thi Sound like a distant torrent's fall, was not the case, for we find Haidé And answer, “ Let one living head, and Juan left alone after the banque speak, While Haidée and Juan were con- Smiled scornfully, and said, “Within templating the glorious stillness of a slaves gone, red; with prayer. admiring the rosy twilight of the even- Grecian evening, a presentiment of soring sky. row passes over their hearts. “ 1 know not why, but in that hour to-night, “T' our tale.-The feast was over, the Even as they gazed, a sudden tremor came, The dwarfs and dancing girls had all retired; And swept, as 'twere, across their heart's The Arab lore and poet's song were done, delight, Like the wind o'er a harp-string, or a And every sound of revelry expired ; flame, The lady and her lover, left alone, The rosy flood of twilight sky admi. When one is shook in sound, and one in sight; Ave Maria ! o'er the earth and sea, And thus some boding flash'd through That heavenliest hour of Heaven is wor either frame, And call'd from Juan's breast a faint low thiest thee! sigh, “Ave Maria ! blessed be the hour, While one new tear arose in Haidee's The time, the clime, the spot, where I so eye." oft Having retired to their couch, they Have felt that moment in its fullest power are still haunted by the same unplea Sink o'er the earth so beautiful and soft, sant something., While swung the deep bell in the distant “ Now pillow'd cheek to cheek, in loving tower, sleep Or the faint dying day-hymn stole aloft, Haidée and Juan their siesta took, And not a breath crept through the rosy A gentle slumber, but it was not deep, air, For ever and anon a something shook And yet the forest leaves seem'd stirr’d Juan, and shuddering o'er his frame would creep; E “Ave Maria ! 'tis the hour of prayer ! And Haidée's sweet lips murmur'd like Ave Maria ! 'tis the hour of love! a brook Ave Maria ! may our spirits dare A wordless music, and her face so fair Stirr'd with her dream as rose-leaves with Look up to thine, and to thy Son's above ! Ave Maria ! oh that face so fair ! the air ; Those downcast eyes beneath the Al- “Or as the stirring of a deep clear stream, mighty dove Within the Alpine hollow, when the What though 'tis but a pictured image wind strike Walks over it, was she shaken by the That painting is no idol, 'tis too like. dream, Now, Christopher, after this, take O’erpowering us to be whate'er may seem The mystical usurper of the mindthy crutch, and, with the help of Black- Good to the soul which we no more can wood'sporter, John Lesley, crawlup the new road along the Salisbury Craigs, Strange state of being ! (for 'tis still to be) on the first fine Sabbath evening, when Senseless to feel, and with seal'd eyes to all the west is still one broad glow of heavenly ruby; and the castle, in the In this state, the ominous fancies of middle of the view, appears like the Haidée take at last the definite form crowned head of some great being, of a regular dream, in which she sees resting on his elbow in contemplation; Juan dead in a cavern. As she gazes repeat these verses, and I will venture on him, he seems to change into the to bet a plack to a bawbee, that from resemblance of her father. Startled that hour all animosity against the by the apparition, she awakes, and the wayward and unfortunate Byron will first object that her eyes meet are those be for ever hushed in thy bosom. Even of the pirate sternly fixed upon herJohn himself will, by the mere sound Juan is in the same moment roused by of thy solemn voice of prayer, thence- the shriek she gave. forth forego the grudge that he has “UpJuan sprung to Haidée's bitter shriek, long borne his lordship for the many And caught her falling, and from off burdens he has made him bear, and, the wall melting into tears of tenderness, dry Snatch'd down his sabre, in hot haste to wreak the big drops from his eyes with a corner of the same handkerchief which Vengeance on him who was the cause of all : thou wilt apply to wipe the Ave Maria Then Lambro, who till now forbore to dew from thine own. mr na!). bind; see. a tis joy ? die ; A thousand scimitars await the word ; “ I said they were alike, their features and Put up, young man, put up your silly Their stature differing but in sex and sword.' years ; “And Haidée clung around him; • Juan, Even to the delicacy of their hands There was resemblance, such as true blood wears ; 'Tis Lambro--'tis my father! Kneel with me And now to see them, thus divided, stand He will forgive us yes it must be In fix'd ferocity, when joyous tears, And sweet sensations, should have w ilyes. Oh ! dearest father, in this agony comed both, Of pleasure and of pain-even while I kiss Show what the passions are in their full Thy garment's hem with transport, can growth.” it be This, Christopher, you must allow, That doubt should mingle with my filial is spirited, and you will observe a Deal with me as thou wilt, but spare this curious mark of propinquity which the boy.' poet notices with respect to the hands of the father and daughter. The poet, High and inscrutible the old man stood, Calm in his voice, and calm within his I suspect, is indebted for the first hint of this to Ali Pashaw, who, by the bye, eyeNot always signs with him of calmest mood: is the original of Lambro; for when his He look’d upon her, but gave no reply; Lordship was introduced, with his Then turn’d to Juan, in whose cheek the squat friend, Cam, to that agreeableblood mannered tyrant, the vizier said that Oft came and went, as there resolved to he knew he was the Magotos Anthropos by the smallness of his ears and hands. In arms, at least, he stood, in act to spring Don Juan is dangerously wounded, On the first foe whom Lambro's call might and being seized by some of the pibring rate's sailors, is carried from the scene. « « Young man, your sword ;' so Lambro The effect on poor Haidée is deploonce more said: rable. Juan replied, “Not while this arm is For several days she lay insensible, free.' The old man's cheek grew pale, but not she was in such a state as Mlle. Nob and, when she awoke from her trance, with dread, And drawing from his belt a pistol, he let is seen in the ballet of Nina. The Replied, Your blood be then on your first time you see your venison friend, own head.' the Thane of Fife, ask him if there is Then look'd close at the flint, as if to see not some reason to suspect that Byron 'Twas fresh, for he had lately used the lock, had her in his eỹe when he wrote the And next proceeded quietly to cock. following description : “ It has a strange quick jar upon the ear, “ Afric is all the sun's, and as her earth That cocking of a pistol, when you know Her human clay is kindled ; full of A moment more will bring the sight to power bear For good or evil, burning from its birth, Upon your person, twelve yards off, or The Moorish blood partakes the planet's hour, A gentlemanly distance, not too near, And like the soil beneath it will bring If you have got a former friend for foe; forth : But after being fired at once or twice, Beauty and love were Haidée's mother's The ear becomes more Irish, and less nice. dower ; But her large dark eye show'd deep Pas sion's force, “ He gazed on her, and she on him ; 'twas Though sleeping like a lion near a source. strange How like they look’d! the expression “ Her daughter, temper'd with a milder was the same; ray, Serenely savage, with a little change Like summer clouds all silvery, smooth, In the large dark eye's mutual darted and fair, flame; Till slowly charged with thunder they disFor she too was as one who could avenge, play If cause should be a lioness, though Terror to earth, and tempest to the air, SO; * ** a Had held till now her soft and milky way; Her father's blood before her fathers's face But overwrought with passion and deBoil'd up, and proved her truly of his race. spair, tame: arose The fire burst forth from her Numidian “ Short solace, vain relief !--thought came veins, too quick, Even as the Simoom sweeps the blasted And whirl'd her brain to madness ; she plains." As one who ne'er had dwelt among the sick, “ She woke at length, but not as sleepers And flew at all she met, as on her foes ; wake, But no one ever heard her speak or shriek, L'ather the dead, for life seem'd some- Although her paroxysm drew towards thing new, its close : A strange sensation which she must partake Her's was a phrensy which disdain'd to rave, Perforce, since whatsoever met her view Even when they smote her, in the hope to Struck noton memory, though a heavy ache ¿Layat her heart, whose earliest beat “Yet she betray'd at times a gleam of sense; still true Nothing could make her meet her faBrought back the sense of pain without the ther's face, Though on all other things with looks intense trace; “She look'd on many a face with vacant eye, Food she refused, and raiment; no pretence On many a token without knowing what; Availed for either; neither change of She saw them watch her without asking why, place, And reck'd not who around laer pillow sat; Nor time, nor skill, nor remedy, could = Not speechless though she spoke not; not give her a sigh Senses to sleep—the power seem'd gone Relieved her thoughts ; dull silence and for ever. save. quick chat she gave not ; Were tried in vain by those who served ; “ Twelve days and nights she wither'd thus ; at last, Nosign, save breath, of having left thegrave. Without a groan, or sigh, or glance, to show “ Her handmaids tended, but she heeded A parting pang, the spirit from her past; And they who watch'd her nearest could . Her father watch'd, she turn'd her eyes not know away; The very instant, till the change that cast She recognised no being, and no spot Hersweet face into shadow, dull and slow, However dear or cherish'd in their day; Glazed o'er her eyes—the beautiful, the * They changed from room to room, but all blackforgot, Oh! to possess such lustre—and then lack!” Gentle, but without memory she lay; Don Juan in the meantime is carAnd yet those eyes, which they would fain be weaning ried aboard one of Lambro's vessels, Back to old thoughts, seem'd full of fear, where he is placed among a cargo of ful meaning singers, who had been taken in going on from Leghorn to Sicily on a pro“At last a slave bethought her of a harp; fessional trip. The pirate destined The harper came, and tuned his instru. them for the Constantinople slave ment ; At the first notes, irre market, where in due time they arrive, ular and sharp, On him her flashing eyes a moment bent, favourite Sultana. Baba, the eunuch and Don Juan is purchased for the Then to the wall she turn’d, as if to warp who made the bargain, carries him to Her thoughts fronı sorrow through her heart re-sent, the palace where she resided. And he begun a long low island song “ Baba led Juan onward room by room Of ancient days, ere tyranny grew strong. Through glittering galleries, and o'er marble floors, “Anon her thin wan fingers beat the wall In time to his old tune ; he changed the Till a gigantic portal through the gloom, theme, Haughty and huge, along the distance 6 And sung of love; the fierce name struck And wafted far arose a rich perfume: through all Her recollection; on her flash'd the dream. It seem'd as though they came upon a Of what she was, and is, if you could call shrine, For all was vast, still, fragrant, and divine. To be so, being; in a gushing stream The tears rush'd forth from her o'erclouded “ The giant door was broad, and bright, brain, and high, Like mountain mists at length dissolved in Of gilded bronze, and carved in curious rain. guise ; Vol. X. P towers ; you blind Warriors thereon were battling furiously ; What all this meant : while Baba bow'd 1 and bended His head, until the ceremony ended. “ The lady rising up with such an air eye, As Venus rose with from the wave, on them Of eyes, which put out each surrounding “This massy portal stood at the wide close gem ; hem Her presence was as lofty as her state; You never thought about those little crea Her beauty of that overpowering kind, Whose force description only would abate : tures, I'drather leave it much to your own mind, “Until you nearly trod on them, and then Than lessen it by what I could relate You started back in horror to survey Of forms and features ; it would strike The wond'rous hideousness of those small men, Could I do justice to the full detail ; Whose colour was not black, nor white, So, luckily for both, my phrases fail.” nor gray, But an extraneous mixture, which no pen Can trace, although perhaps the pencil Something imperial, or imperious, threw may ; A chain o'er all she did ; that is, a chain They were misshapen pigmies, deaf and Was thrown as 'twere about the neck of dumb youMonsters, who costa no less monstrous sum. And rapture's self will seem almost a pain With aught which looks like despotism in “ Their duty was for they were strong, view; and though Our souls at least are free, and 'tis in vain They look'd so little, did strong things at We would against them make the flesh times obeyTo ope this door, which they could really do, The spirit in the end will have its way. The hinges being as smooth as Rogers' rhymes ; “ Her very smile was haughty, though so And now and then with tough strings of the sweet ; bow, Her very nod was not an inclination ; As is the custom of those eastern climes, These was a self-will even in her small feet, To give some rebel Pacha a cravat ; As though they were quite conscious of For mutes are generally used for that. her station They trode as upon necks ; and to complete "They spoke by signs that is, not spoke Her state, (it is the custom of her nation,) at all ; A poniard deck'd her girdle, as a sign not mine.") her. The description of a seragliap It was as if their little looks could poison love-making is touched with the auOr fascinate whome'er they fix'd their eyes thor's gayest satire, but Juan, still qui vering at the heart with the remem. Baba having opened the door, Juan brance of Haidée, is very coy to the Sul. is introduced into a magnificent room, tana, and actually bursts into tears wher where wealth had done wonders, taste she says to him, not much. “ Christian, can'st thou love." “ In this imperial hall, at distance lay “She was a good deal shock'd ; not shock's Under a canopy, and there reclined at tears, For women shed and use them at thei Wėt, still more disagreeable and striking on." |