CANTO THE SECOND XII |
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CANTO THE SECONDXII
"My slave, Zuleika! — nay, I`m thine;
But, gentle love, this transport calm,
Thy lot shall yet be link`d with mine;
I swear it by our Prophet`s shrine,
And be that thought thy sorrow`s balm.
So may the Koran verse display`d
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 widen`d, not divided,
Although thy Sire`s my deadliest foe.
My father was to Giaffir all
That Selim late was deem`d to thee;
That brother wrought a brother`s fall,
But spared, at least, my infancy;
And lull`d me with a vain deceit
That yet a like return may meet.
He rear`d me, not with tender help,
But like the nephew of a Cain;
He watch`d 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 sake
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.
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