XII.

"Gracious Allah! by such title
Do I dare to thank the God,

Him who thus exalts thy spirit,

Flower of an unchristian sod!

Or hast thou put off wings which thou in heaven dost wear?

What have I seen, and heard, or dreamt? where am I? where ?"

XIII.

Here broke off the dangerous converse:
Less impassioned words might tell
How the pair escaped together,

Tears not wanting, nor a knell

Of sorrow in her heart, while thro' her father's door, And from her narrow world, she passed for ever

more.

XIV.

But affections higher, holier,

Urged her steps; she shrunk from trust In a sensual creed, that trampled

Woman's birthright into dust.

Little be the wonder then, the blame be none, If she, a timid Maid, hath put such boldness on.

XV.

Judge both Fugitives with knowledge:
In those old romantic days

Mighty were the soul's commandments

To support, restrain, or raise.

Foes might hang upon their path, snakes rustle

near,

But nothing from their inward selves had they to fear.

XVI.

Thought infirm ne'er came between them,
Whether printing desert sands
With accordant steps, or gathering

Forest-fruit with social hands;

Or whispering like two reeds that in the cold moonbeam

Bend with the breeze their heads, beside a crystal

stream.

XVII.

On a friendly deck reposing,

They at length for Venice steer;

There, when they had closed their voyage,

One, who daily on the pier

Watched for tidings from the East beheld his

lord,

Fell down and clasped his knees for joy, not uttering word.

XVIII.

Mutual was the sudden transport;

Breathless questions followed fast,

Years contracting to a moment,

Each word greedier than the last ;

"Hie thee to the Countess, friend! return with speed,

And of this Stranger speak, by whom her lord was freed.

XIX.

"Say that I, who might have languished,
Drooped, and pined till life was spent,
Now before the gates of Stolberg

My Deliverer would present

For a crowning recompense, the precious grace Of her who in my heart still holds her ancient place.

XX.

"Make it known that my Companion

Is of royal Eastern blood,
Thirsting after all perfection,

Innocent, and meek, and good,

Though with misbelievers bred; but that dark night Will holy Church disperse by beams of Gospel light."

XXI.

Swiftly went that gray-haired Servant,
Soon returned a trusty Page
Charged with greetings, benedictions,
Thanks, and praises, each a gage

For a sunny thought to cheer the Stranger's way, Her virtuous scruples to remove, her fears allay.

XXII.

And how blest the Reunited,

While beneath their castle-walls Runs a deafening noise of welcome! Blest, though every tear that falls Doth in its silence of past sorrow tell,

And makes a meeting seem most like a dear farewell.

XXIII.

Through a haze of human nature,
Glorified by heavenly light,
Looked the beautiful Deliverer

On that overpowering sight,

While across her virgin cheek

pure blushes strayed,

For every tender sacrifice her heart had made.

XXIV.

On the ground the weeping Countess

Knelt, and kissed the Stranger's hand;
Act of soul-devoted homage,

Pledge of an eternal band:

Nor did aught of future days that kiss belie, Which, with a generous shout, the crowd did ratify.

XXV.

Constant to the fair Armenian,

Gentle pleasures round her moved,

Like a tutelary spirit

Reverenced, like a sister loved.

Christian meekness smoothed for all the path of life, Who, loving most, should wiseliest love, their only

strife.

XXVI.

Mute memento of that union

In a Saxon church survives,

Where a cross-legged Knight lies sculptured
As between two wedded Wives, -

-

Figures with armorial signs of race and birth, And the vain rank the pilgrims bore while yet on

earth.

1880.

XXXV.

LOVING AND LIKING:

IRREGULAR VERSES, ADDRESSED TO A

CHILD.

(BY MY SISTER.)

THERE's more in words than I can teach :
Yet listen, Child! I would not preach;
But only give some plain directions

To guide your speech and your affections.
Say not you love a roasted fowl,

But you may love a screaming owl,