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And sought to trace the plain before;—
Too dearly known to Assad's mind,
Came laughing on the heedless wind;—
And one was heard to sing:—Rejoice!—
To sing the air so loved of old,—
To tell again what once was told;—
So fondly that the heart might deem
That faith adorn'd the witching theme.—
Though many a weary day had flown
Since Assad heard its melting tone,
It echoed, as it warbled near,
Distraction in the startled ear:—
It spoke at once of early hours,
When peace reposed in Eastern bowers,—
When not a single sound was heard,
Save laugh, and song, and summer bird,
That caroll'd lightly on the tree
A sweet and simple melody.
“The moment of revenge is come!—
“No further need to rail,—or roam
“In search of him with darken'd brow;
“Within this wall regales our foe.—
“By tapers' light he quaffs the wine
Sir John Chardin speaks of a wine much admired in the East, and particularly in Persia, called Roubnar; which is made from the juice of the pomegranate, and sent abroad in large quantities. A Moslem would doubtless in private, (unless very strict in his religion) indulge himself with a taste of this forbidden beverage. In fact, some of the impious have been known to quaff the goblet to the health of Mahomet. However, the liquor in most general use, is Sherbet; which consists of various syrups, such as lemon or capillaire, mixed with water. It is both cooling and pleasant.
“Yes!—gaily in retirement quaffs,
“And at forbidding tenet laughs!—
“But other light shall deftly shine,
“And other stream shall quickly flow;
“He feeds unfear'd, nor thinks of woe,
“But this my arm shall lay him low.—
“There breathe within this Haram's gate
“All that I love, and seek, and hate:—
“Let blood and conquest mark the path
“That's singled out by Assad's wrath!”
And sabres waving o'er the head;—
The valiant vassals heard no more,
But glided to the scene of gore,
Like the Simurgh
Many marvellous things are related of this bird; that it was not only endowed with reason, but possessed also the knowledge of every language. The Simurgh is said to have lived on Mount Caucasus: and Sadi, an admired Eastern writer, gives it as an instance of the universality of Providence, that notwithstanding its immense bulk, it never wanted sustenance on this mountain. The bird relates of itself, that it had seen the great revolution of seven thousand years, twelve times, commence and close; and that in its duration, the world had been seven times void of inhabitants, and as often replenished.
Which few have seen, but all have fear'd!
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