The browzing camels' bells are tinkling His Mother looked from her lattice high, 690 She saw the dews of eve besprinkling The pasture green beneath her eye, She saw the planets faintly twinkling, ""Tis twilight-sure his train is nigh.”— She could not rest in the garden-bower, 695 But gazed through the grate of his steepest tower "Why comes he not? his steeds are fleet, "Nor shrink they from the summer heat; "Why sends not the Bridegroom his promised "gift, "Is his heart more cold, or his barb less swift? "Oh, false reproach! yon Tartar now 701 "Has gained our nearest mountain's brow, "And warily the steep descends, "And now within the valley bends; "And he bears the gift at his saddle bow"How could I deem his courser slow? 706 "Right well my largess shall repay "His welcome speed, and weary way.”— The Tartar lighted at the gate, But scarce upheld his fainting weight; 710 His swarthy visage spake distress, But this might be from weariness; His garb with sanguine spots was dyed, 715 Angel of Death! 'tis Hassan's cloven crest! His calpac "rent-his caftan red "Lady, a fearful bride thy Son hath wed 66 Me, not from mercy, did they spare, "But this empurpled pledge to bear. 720 "Peace to the brave! whose blood is spilt "Woe to the Giaour! for his the guilt." * * A turban carv'd in coarsest stone, A pillar with rank weeds o'ergrown, Whereon can now be scarcely read The Koran verse that mourns the dead; Point out the spot where Hassan fell A victim in that lonely dell. As e'er at Mecca bent the knee; As ever scorn'd forbidden wine, Or pray'd with face towards the shrine, 725 730 In orisons resumed anew At solemn sound of "Alla Hu!" 33 On him shall glance for ever bright; They come their kerchiefs green they wave,3 And welcome with a kiss the brave! Who falls in battle 'gainst a Giaour, Is worthiest an immortal bower. 34 745 VOL. II. E But thou, false Infidel! shalt writhe 750 755 760 |