Hesperus and Other Poems

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1880 edition. Excerpt: ... Zuleika! The Turk!! Zuleika, stand forth, If Arab you are to the core; By the east, by the north Euphrates down-pour'th, To the west is the marsh without shore. Zuleika, be swift! Zuleika, our tents Are girt by deep marshes and foes; To the south like a fence A squadron immense Of Turks, while we slumbered, arose! "Up, maid of the desert! If still the old stamp Lingers on in the seed of Yezid, Deck your charms without lamp And list for the tramp Of the mare never stranger has rid. "You shall lead on our charge in the wild Arab way, You shall rally the young men and old, Like the hawk on the jay We shall cleave through the fray: Your deed by the bards shall be told." With pride, with delight, after old Arab wont For a bridal she decks her sweet form. To the foe, to the front, To the battle's quick brunt She is whirling the keen desert swarm. When first on Euphrates the thousand-edged sword Of the sun the fog-serpent had gashed, With one man's accord The whole Arab horde On their foe like a thunderbolt crashed. Then vain were the cannon of Omar the Turk, Sword or pistol-flash--onward they raced! Short, sharp is the work, In a dust column's murk Are vanished the sons of the waste. The Maid of the Bent Yezid. 137 But Zuleika? Alas, the mare is too frail That swerves from the cannon aside! As birds on the gale Are caught in the sail Entrapped is the desert's fair bride. She has played, she has lost. With a firm pallid face By Omar the wrathful she stands: "Dread lord, grant me grace That here in this place Undefiled I may die by your hands!" Then still is each pulse while Omar his brow Rubs clear of the wrinkles and cries: "Not so, for I vow That in Bagdad enow Of ladies shall welcome this prize! "Fair bloom of the desert, a princess's train And...