'Gulnare - Gulnare - I never felt till now My abject fortune, wither'd fame so low! Seyd is mine enemy, had swept my band From earth with ruthless but with open hand; 361

And therefore came I, in my bark of war,
To smite the smiter with the scimitar;
Such is my weapon-not the secret knife;
Who spares a woman's seeks not slumber's
life.

Thine saved I 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

rest!'

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 pass'd,
Then paused—and turn'd - and paused
't is She at last!

No poniard in that hand, nor sign of illThanks to that softening heart, she could not kill!'

Again he look'd, the wildness of her eye Starts from the day abrupt and fearfully. She stopp'd threw back her dark farfloating hair,

410

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,

Her hurrying hand had left- -'t was but a spot