Tumultuous passion danced upon his brow;
He sought to woo her, but he knew not how:
He gazed upon her cheek, and, as he gazed,
Love's flaming taper more intensely blazed.
Soon mutual pleasure warm'd each other's heart;
Love conquer'd both-they never dreamt to part;
And, while the rest were poring o'er their books,
They pensive mused, and read each other's looks:
While other schoolmates for distinction strove,
And thought of fame, they only thought of love:
While others various climes in books explored,
Both idly sat-adorer and adored:
Science for them had now no charms to boast;
Learning for them had all its virtue lost :
Their only taste was love, and love's sweet ties,
And writing ghazels to each other's eyes.
Yes, love triumphant came, engrossing all
The fond luxuriant thoughts of youth and maid; And, whilst subdued in that delicious thrall,
Smiles and bright tears upon their features play'd. Then in soft converse did they pass the hours,—
Their passion, like the season, fresh and fair; 120 Their opening path seem'd deck'd with balmiest flowers, Their melting words as soft as summer air.
Immersed in love so deep,
They hoped suspicion would be lull'd asleep,
And none be conscious of their amorous state;
They hoped that none with prying eye,
And gossip tongue invidiously,
Might to the busy world its truth relate:
And, thus possess'd, they anxious thought
Their passion would be kept unknown; Wishing to seem what they were not,
Though all observed their hearts were one.
By worldly prudence uncontroll'd,
Their every glance their feelings told;
For true love never yet had skill
To veil impassion'd looks at will.
When ringlets of a thousand curls,
And ruby lips, and teeth of pearls,
And dark eyes flashing quick and bright,
Like lightning on the brow of night—
When charms like these their power display,
And steal the wilder'd heart away—
Can man, dissembling, coldly seem
Unmoved as by an idle dream?
Kais saw her beauty, saw her grace,
The soft expression of her face;
And as he gazed, and gazed again,
Distraction stung his burning brain :
No rest he found by day or night—
Lailí for ever in his sight.
But, oh! when separation came,
More brightly glow'd his ardent flame;
And she, with equal sorrow fraught,
Bewail'd the fate upon them brought.
-He wander'd wild through lane and street,
With frantic step, as if to meet
Something which still his search defied,
Reckless of all that might betide.
His bosom heaved with groans and sighs,
Tears ever gushing from his eyes;
And still he struggled to conceal
The anguish he was doom'd to feel;
And, maddened with excessive grief,
In the lone desert sought relief.
Thitber, as morning dawn'd, he flew ;
His head and feet no covering knew ;
And every night, with growing pain,
The woes of absence mark'd his strain.
The secret path he eager chose
Where Laili's distant mansion rose;
And kiss'd the door, and in that kiss
Fancied he quaff'd the cup of bliss.
How fleet his steps to that sweet place!
A thousand wings increased his pace;
But thence, his fond devotions paid,
A thousand thorns his course delay'd.
The lover from his mistress parted,
Lingering, oppress'd, and broken-hearted,
Sank, like the sun all rayless, down-
Khosrú, without his throne or crown.
With matted locks and bosom bare,
Unshielded from the scorching air,
This hapless youth, absorb'd in grief,
Hoped with his friends to find relief;
The few, by strong affection bound,
And, 'midst his woes, still faithful found.
But vain the refuge-friendship's smile
Could not his love-lorn heart beguile:
Again he hasten'd to that place remote,
Where all he loved in life had gone:
He call'd her magic name, but she was not,
Nor of her kindred, one, not one,
In that sequester'd lonely spot:
He call'd a thousand times, but call'd in vain ;
None heeded, for none heard the strain;
And thence no fond reply that hapless youth could gain.
Lailí had, with her kindred, been removed
Among the Nijid mountains, where
She cherish'd still the thoughts of him she loved,
And her affection thus more deeply proved
Amid that wild retreat. Kais sought her there;
Sought her in rosy bower and silent glade,
Where the tall palm-trees flung refreshing shade.
He call'd upon her name again;
Again he call'd, alas! in vain ;
His voice unheard, though raised on every side;
Echo alone to his lament replied;
And Lailí! Lailí! rang around,
As if enamour'd of that magic sound.
Dejected and forlorn, fast-falling dew
Glisten'd upon his cheeks of pallid hue;
Through grove and frowning glen he lonely stray'd,
And with his griefs the rocks were vocal made.
Beautiful Lailí! had she gone for ever?-
Could he that thought support? oh, never, never!
Whilst deep emotion agonised his breast,
He to the morning-breeze these words address'd:
"Breeze of the morn! so fresh and sweet,
Wilt thou my blooming mistress greet;
And, nestling in her glossy hair,
My tenderest thoughts, my love, declare?
Wilt thou, while 'mid her tresses sporting,
Their odorous balm, their perfume courting,
Say to that soul-seducing maid,
In grief how prostrate I am laid!
And gently whisper in her ear
This message, with an accent clear:—
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