No More Learning

[fa]

Begirt with many a gallant slave, 20
Apparelled as becomes the brave,
Awaiting each his Lord's behest
To guide his steps, or guard his rest,
Old Giaffir sate in his Divan:
Deep thought was in his aged eye;
And though the face of Mussulman
Not oft betrays to standers by
The mind within, well skilled to hide
All but unconquerable pride,
His pensive cheek and pondering brow[fb] 30
Did more than he was wont avow.

III.

"Let the chamber be cleared. "--The train disappeared--
"Now call me the chief of the Haram guard"--
With Giaffir is none but his only son,
And the Nubian awaiting the sire's award.
"Haroun--when all the crowd that wait
Are passed beyond the outer gate,
(Woe to the head whose eye beheld
My child Zuleika's face unveiled! )
Hence, lead my daughter from her tower--[fc] 40
Her fate is fixed this very hour;
Yet not to her repeat my thought--
By me alone be duty taught! "

"Pacha! to hear is to obey. "--
No more must slave to despot say--
Then to the tower had ta'en his way:
But here young Selim silence brake,
First lowly rendering reverence meet;
And downcast looked, and gently spake,
Still standing at the Pacha's feet: 50
For son of Moslem must expire,
Ere dare to sit before his sire!
"Father! for fear that thou shouldst chide
My sister, or her sable guide--
Know--for the fault, if fault there be,
Was mine--then fall thy frowns on me!
So lovelily the morning shone,
That--let the old and weary sleep--
I could not; and to view alone
The fairest scenes of land and deep, 60
With none to listen and reply
To thoughts with which my heart beat high
Were irksome--for whate'er my mood,
In sooth I love not solitude;
I on Zuleika's slumber broke,
And, as thou knowest that for me
Soon turns the Haram's grating key,
Before the guardian slaves awoke
We to the cypress groves had flown,
And made earth, main, and heaven our own! 70
There lingered we, beguiled too long
With Mejnoun's tale, or Sadi's song;[fd][129]
Till I, who heard the deep tambour[130]
Beat thy Divan's approaching hour,
To thee, and to my duty true,
Warned by the sound, to greet thee flew:
But there Zuleika wanders yet--
Nay, Father, rage not--nor forget
That none can pierce that secret bower
But those who watch the women's tower. " 80

IV.

"Son of a slave"--the Pacha said--
"From unbelieving mother bred,
Vain were a father's hope to see
Aught that beseems a man in thee.
Thou, when thine arm should bend the bow,
And hurl the dart, and curb the steed,
Thou, Greek in soul if not in creed,
Must pore where babbling waters flow,[fe]
And watch unfolding roses blow.
Would that yon Orb, whose matin glow 90
Thy listless eyes so much admire,
Would lend thee something of his fire!
Thou, who woulds't see this battlement
By Christian cannon piecemeal rent;
Nay, tamely view old Stambol's wall
Before the dogs of Moscow fall,
Nor strike one stroke for life and death
Against the curs of Nazareth!
Go--let thy less than woman's hand
Assume the distaff--not the brand. 100
But, Haroun! --to my daughter speed:
And hark--of thine own head take heed--
If thus Zuleika oft takes wing--
Thou see'st yon bow--it hath a string! "

V.

No sound from Selim's lip was heard,
At least that met old Giaffir's ear,
But every frown and every word
Pierced keener than a Christian's sword.
"Son of a slave! --reproached with fear!
Those gibes had cost another dear. 110
Son of a slave! --and _who_ my Sire? "
Thus held his thoughts their dark career;
And glances ev'n of more than ire[ff]
Flash forth, then faintly disappear.
Old Giaffir gazed upon his son
And started; for within his eye
He read how much his wrath had done;
He saw rebellion there begun:
"Come hither, boy--what, no reply?
I mark thee--and I know thee too; 120
But there be deeds thou dar'st not do:
But if thy beard had manlier length,
And if thy hand had skill and strength,
I'd joy to see thee break a lance,
Albeit against my own perchance.