Selected Poems (57 page)

Were I thine own – thou wert not lonely here:

An outlaw’s spouse – and leave her lord to roam!

What hath such gentle dame to do with home?

But speak not now – o’er thine and o’er my head

305

Hangs the keen sabre by a single thread;

If thou hast courage still, and wouldst be free,

Receive this poniard – rise – and follow me!’

‘Ay – in my chains! my steps will gently tread,

With these adornments, o’er each slumbering head!

310

Thou hast forgot – is this a garb for flight?

Or is that instrument more fit for fight?’

‘Misdoubting Corsair! I have gain’d the guard,

Ripe for revolt, and greedy for reward.

A single word of mine removes that chain:

315

Without some aid how here could I remain?

Well, since we met, hath sped my busy time,

If in aught evil, for thy sake the crime:

The crime – ’tis none to punish those of Seyd.

That hated tyrant Conrad – he must bleed!

320 I see thee shudder – but my soul is changed -

Wrong’d, spurn’d, reviled – and it shall be avenged –

Accused of what till now my heart disdain’d.

Too faithful, though to bitter bondage chain’d.

Yes, smile! – but he had little cause to sneer,

325

I was not treacherous then – nor thou too dear.

But he has said it – and the jealous well,

Those tyrants, teasing, tempting to rebel,

Deserve the fate their fretting lips foretell.

I never loved – he bought me – somewhat high –

330

Since with me came a heart he could not buy.

I was a slave unmurmuring: he hath said,

But for his rescue I with thee had fled.

‘Twas false thou know’st – but let such augurs rue,

Their words are omens Insult renders true.

335

Nor was thy respite granted to my prayer;

This fleeting grace was only to prepare

New torments for thy life, and my despair.

Mine too he threatens; but his dotage still

Would fain reserve me for his lordly will:

340

When wearier of these fleeting charms and me,

There yawns the sack – and yonder rolls the sea!

What, am I then a toy for dotard’s play,

To wear but till the gilding frets away?

I saw thee – loved thee – owe thee all – would save,

345

If but to show how grateful is a slave.

But had he not thus menaced fame and life,

(And well he keeps his oaths pronounced in strife,)

I still had saved thee – but the Pacha spared.

Now I am all thine own – for all prepared:

350

Thou lov’st me not – nor know’st – or but the worst.

Alas! this love – that hatred are the first –

Oh! couldst thou prove my truth, thou would’st not start,

Nor fear the fire that lights an Eastern heart;

’Tis now the beacon of thy safety – now

355

It points within the port a Mainote prow:

But in one chamber, where our path must lead,

There sleeps – he must not wake – the oppressor Seyd!’

‘Gulnare – Gulnare - I never felt till now

My abject fortune, wither’d fame so low:

360

Seyd is mine enemy: had swept my band

From earth with ruthless but with open hand,

And therefore came I, in my bark of war,

To smite the smiter with the scimitar;

Such is my weapon – not the secret knife –

365

Who spares a woman’s seeks not slumber’s life.

Thine saved gladly, Lady, not for this –

Let me not deem that mercy shown amiss.

Now fare thee well – more peace be with thy breast!

Night wears apace – my last of earthly rest!’

370

‘Rest! rest! by sunrise must thy sinews shake,

And thy limbs writhe around the ready stake.

I heard the order – saw – will not see –

If thou wilt perish, I will fall with thee.

My life – my love – my hatred – all below

375

Are on this cast – Corsair! ’tis but a blow!

Without it flight were idle – how evade

His sure pursuit? my wrongs too unrepaid,

My youth disgraced – the long, long wasted years,

One blow shall cancel with our future fears;

380

But since the dagger suits thee less than brand,

I’ll try the firmness of a female hand.

The guards are gain’d – one moment all were o’er –

Corsair! we meet in safety or no more;

If errs my feeble hand, the morning cloud

385

Will hover o’er thy scaffold, and my shroud.’

IX

She turn’d, and vanish’d ere he could reply,

But his glance followed far with eager eye;

And gathering, as he could, the links that bound

His form, to curl their length, and curb their sound,

390

Since bar and bolt no more his steps preclude,

He, fast as fetter’d limbs allow, pursued.

’Twas dark and winding, and he knew not where

That passage led; nor lamp nor guard were there:

He sees a dusky glimmering – shall he seek

395

Or shun that ray so indistinct and weak?

Chance guides his steps – a freshness seems to bear

Full on his brow, as if from morning air -

He reach’d an open gallery – on his eye

Gleam’d the last star of night, the clearing sky:

400

Yet scarcely heeded these – another light

From a lone chamber struck upon his sight.

Towards it he moved; a scarcely closing door

Reveal’d the ray within, but nothing more.

With hasty step a figure outward past,

405

Then paused – and turn’d – and paused – ’tis She at last!

No poniard in that hand – nor sign of ill –

‘Thanks to that softening heart – she could not kill!’

Again he look’d, the wildness of her eye

Starts from the day abrupt and fearfully.

410

She stopp’d – threw back her dark far-floating hair,

That nearly veil’d her face and bosom fair:

As if she late had bent her leaning head

Above some object of her doubt or dread.

They meet - upon her brow – unknown – forgot –

415

Her hurrying hand had left – ’twas but a spot –

Its hue was all he saw, and scarce withstood –

Oh! slight but certain pledge of crime – ’tis blood!

X

He had seen battle – he had brooded lone

O’er promised pangs to sentenced guilt foreshown;

420

He had been tempted – chasten’d – and the chain

Yet on his arms might ever there remain:

But ne’er from strife – captivity – remorse –

From all his feelings in their inmost force –

So thrill’d – so shudder’d every creeping vein,

425

As now they froze before that purple stain.

That spot of blood, that light but guilty streak,

Had banish’d all the beauty from her cheek!

Blood he had view’d – could view unmoved – but then

It flow’d in combat, or was shed by men!

XI

430

‘ ’Tis done – he nearly waked – but it is done.

Corsair! he perish’d – thou art dearly won.

All words would now be vain – away – away!

Our bark is tossing – ’tis already day.

The few gain’d over, now are wholly mine,

435

And these thy yet surviving band shall join:

Anon my voice shall vindicate my hand,

When once our sail forsakes this hated strand.’

XII

She clapp’d her hands – and through the gallery pour,

Equipp’d for flight, her vassals – Greek and Moor:

440

Silent but quick they stoop, his chains unbind;

Once more his limbs are free as mountain wind!

But on his heavy heart such sadness sate,

As if they there transferr’d that iron weight.

No words are utter’d – at her sign, a door

445

Reveals the secret passage to the shore;

The city lies behind – they speed, they reach

The glad waves dancing on the yellow beach;

And Conrad following, at her beck, obey’d,

Nor cared he now if rescued or betray’d;

450

Resistance were as useless as if Seyd

Yet lived to view the doom his ire decreed.

XIII

Embark’d, the sail unfurl’d, the light breeze blew –

How much had Conrad’s memory to review!