Reminiscences, in Prose and Verse Consisting of the Epistolary Correspondence of Many Distinguished Characters. With Notes and Illustrations. By the Rev. R. Polwhele |
 | I. |
| II. |
| III. |
|
| I. |
| II. |
|
|
| I. |
| I. |
| II. |
| III. |
| IV. |
| II. |
| I. |
| II. |
| III. |
| IV. |
| III. |
| I. |
| II. |
| IV. |
| V. |
|
| I. |
| I. |
| II. |
| III. |
| II. |
| I. |
| II. |
| III. |
| III. |
| I. |
| II. |
| III. |
| IV. |
| I. |
| II. |
| V. |
| I. |
| II. |
| III. |
| IV. |
|
| I. |
| II. |
| III. |
|
| 1. | CANTO THE FIRST. |
| 3. |
| 4. |
| 6. |
|
|
| I. |
| II. |
 | Reminiscences, in Prose and Verse |  |
CANTO THE FIRST.
The Turkish Camp in the neighbourhood of the City.
Far off and near, along the tented plain
White banners flap at many an interval,
And here, a richer ensign flaunts amain,
And silk pavilions glisten in the gale;
Whilst now the Moslems, each his comrade, hail;
Some faint from wounds that rued the recent fight;
Others with fond ear listening to the tale
Of prompt adroitness or of stubborn might,
Pursuit by corses check'd, and fear and rapid flight.
White banners flap at many an interval,
And here, a richer ensign flaunts amain,
And silk pavilions glisten in the gale;
Whilst now the Moslems, each his comrade, hail;
Some faint from wounds that rued the recent fight;
Others with fond ear listening to the tale
Of prompt adroitness or of stubborn might,
Pursuit by corses check'd, and fear and rapid flight.
Here striding, and in boasting doubly grim,
A Spahi pictured how his arm had flung
The javelin; how he lopp'd off limb from limb;
And bending in full gallop, how he hung
O'er hundreds, hacking out his path, among
Thick squadrons! To his flourish'd scymitar
(Which had been flesh'd in Christian carnage) rung
A brother-soldier's mail with horrid jar:
Grinn'd with half-angry scowl the whisker'd janizar.
A Spahi pictured how his arm had flung
The javelin; how he lopp'd off limb from limb;
And bending in full gallop, how he hung
O'er hundreds, hacking out his path, among
Thick squadrons! To his flourish'd scymitar
(Which had been flesh'd in Christian carnage) rung
A brother-soldier's mail with horrid jar:
Grinn'd with half-angry scowl the whisker'd janizar.
90
And there an Aga—wild his gestures—told,
How (Aslans in the assault) the savage van
Rush'd on; till, headlong amid firebolts roll'd
They were heap'd, Mussulman on Mussulman!
“Yet” (half unsheathed his bickering ataghan)
“Yet,” cried he, “the broad trench with craven's blood
E'en to distain the fervid billows ran!
And dastard souls, methought, in wistful mood
Still hover'd o'er the slain, and mourn'd the ensanguined flood.”
How (Aslans in the assault) the savage van
Rush'd on; till, headlong amid firebolts roll'd
They were heap'd, Mussulman on Mussulman!
“Yet” (half unsheathed his bickering ataghan)
“Yet,” cried he, “the broad trench with craven's blood
E'en to distain the fervid billows ran!
And dastard souls, methought, in wistful mood
Still hover'd o'er the slain, and mourn'd the ensanguined flood.”
Here one, (who from a Grecian Prince had fled
Gash'd in the back, nor 'scaped the Sultan's eye,)
Had rather dropp'd unmark'd among the dead,
Then in a dungeon by the death-cord die.
The Sultan and his captains all drew nigh:
Still ooz'd his life—its current scarce was staunch'd.
His stature lank and meagre, hideously
Was palsied, and his face convulsed and blanch'd.
Such thrill hath traveller own'd, whose skull the hyæna cranch'd.
Gash'd in the back, nor 'scaped the Sultan's eye,)
Had rather dropp'd unmark'd among the dead,
Then in a dungeon by the death-cord die.
The Sultan and his captains all drew nigh:
Still ooz'd his life—its current scarce was staunch'd.
His stature lank and meagre, hideously
Was palsied, and his face convulsed and blanch'd.
Such thrill hath traveller own'd, whose skull the hyæna cranch'd.
“I durst not (cries a vaunting voice) regret
My fractured helmet, that flew off in twain!
Much—much to me owes mighty Mahomet!
But for this arm the struggle all were vain!
Stunn'd by the stroke yet burns my whirling brain!
Staggering I griped Prince Theon! Pierced with wound
On wound, we both upon the slippery plain
Flounder'd; till Janizars closed firm around:
My conquest, hardly earn'd, his festering shackles crown'd.”
My fractured helmet, that flew off in twain!
Much—much to me owes mighty Mahomet!
But for this arm the struggle all were vain!
Stunn'd by the stroke yet burns my whirling brain!
Staggering I griped Prince Theon! Pierced with wound
On wound, we both upon the slippery plain
Flounder'd; till Janizars closed firm around:
My conquest, hardly earn'd, his festering shackles crown'd.”
91
To appal the boldest Islamites, how dire
The approaching Sultan in idea rose!
His wrathful visage fiercer than the fire
That bristling in the spotted tigress glows;
When late, to reassure his fainting foes,
When Genoa rode triumphant o'er the tide;
'Twas then (his gallies but as pageant shows)
Spurring his courser with unearthly pride
He cleft the surge's foam, and Alla's self defied!
The approaching Sultan in idea rose!
His wrathful visage fiercer than the fire
That bristling in the spotted tigress glows;
When late, to reassure his fainting foes,
When Genoa rode triumphant o'er the tide;
'Twas then (his gallies but as pageant shows)
Spurring his courser with unearthly pride
He cleft the surge's foam, and Alla's self defied!
Yes! 'twas a high-flush'd moment! Half the globe
Seem'd crowding to the spectacle!—But short
Was Genoa's glory. Mahomet's monster-tube
Though, over continents, quaked fane and fort
And distant isles flung back the deep report,
So bade abortive thunders roll around!
The maddening Moslems vision'd thrones transport;
Yet all its brazen voices but rebound
To speak, from rock to rock, the impotence of sound.
Seem'd crowding to the spectacle!—But short
Was Genoa's glory. Mahomet's monster-tube
Though, over continents, quaked fane and fort
And distant isles flung back the deep report,
So bade abortive thunders roll around!
The maddening Moslems vision'd thrones transport;
Yet all its brazen voices but rebound
To speak, from rock to rock, the impotence of sound.
And thus, while some act o'er the fight, and shew
How from the stirrups they spring forth, or wheel
In evolutions swift, and deal the blow;
Others unbind the head piece, and reveal
Contusions sore, or link the corslet-steel,
Or whet the sabre, or the cuirass scour;
Or, pointing to the City, boast their zeal,
And, in each street, anticipate the power
To raise up mosque on mosque, though growl the feeble Giaour.
How from the stirrups they spring forth, or wheel
In evolutions swift, and deal the blow;
Others unbind the head piece, and reveal
Contusions sore, or link the corslet-steel,
Or whet the sabre, or the cuirass scour;
Or, pointing to the City, boast their zeal,
And, in each street, anticipate the power
To raise up mosque on mosque, though growl the feeble Giaour.
Some lazily, as if their sin or sloth
E'en Zemzem's pure ablution scarce could purge,
Saunter, to sip the wine-cup nothing loath;
And sigh, that cruel Destiny should urge
Dire bombs and bolts along death's dizzy verge,
Nor the lax hour in dews of slumber steep!
O! they had changed for scorpions—for the scourge,
Their days of sluggishness—their nights of sleep,
Where, soothing every sense, oblivion loved to creep.
E'en Zemzem's pure ablution scarce could purge,
Saunter, to sip the wine-cup nothing loath;
And sigh, that cruel Destiny should urge
Dire bombs and bolts along death's dizzy verge,
92
O! they had changed for scorpions—for the scourge,
Their days of sluggishness—their nights of sleep,
Where, soothing every sense, oblivion loved to creep.
Its benizon once more if heaven vouchsafe—
The lulling juice—the coffee's fragrant fume;
They vow, eftsoon to pilgrim-cowl and staff
To vail the gleaming shield, the helmet plume,
And load with martial spoils Medina's tomb;
Where, from old Tyre, from Carmel bleak and lone,
From the drear Caspian to Sabæan bloom
With kisses wearing the thrice-hallow'd stone,
Full many a devotee for “sin or sloth” atone.
The lulling juice—the coffee's fragrant fume;
They vow, eftsoon to pilgrim-cowl and staff
To vail the gleaming shield, the helmet plume,
And load with martial spoils Medina's tomb;
Where, from old Tyre, from Carmel bleak and lone,
From the drear Caspian to Sabæan bloom
With kisses wearing the thrice-hallow'd stone,
Full many a devotee for “sin or sloth” atone.
And there the peaceful path grave Imaums shape,
And strutting Cadhis in the camp are seen,
The caftan, the furr'd robe, the Tartar cap
The muslin's broad folds, the fine emir-green,
And airy vestures soft of silken sheen,
And scarlet cinctures that as flambeaux glared!
And they too walk'd the spacious tents between,
Seers, who had mark'd the moment golden-starr'd,
Announcing to bold deeds the Koran's bright award.
And strutting Cadhis in the camp are seen,
The caftan, the furr'd robe, the Tartar cap
The muslin's broad folds, the fine emir-green,
And airy vestures soft of silken sheen,
And scarlet cinctures that as flambeaux glared!
And they too walk'd the spacious tents between,
Seers, who had mark'd the moment golden-starr'd,
Announcing to bold deeds the Koran's bright award.
Others, as odours round rich spicery sheds,
Unlade the bunches of the burden'd beast:
Towering, the camels lift their tawny heads;
Some sacred, and from toil for age releast,
The ministers of Islam, from the East:
Still patient to their master's nod they kneel,
How mild amid the scowls the Moslems cast!
Immoveable midst tribes that rave and reel,—
Midst strepent clarions calm, and fire and flashing steel!
Unlade the bunches of the burden'd beast:
Towering, the camels lift their tawny heads;
Some sacred, and from toil for age releast,
The ministers of Islam, from the East:
Still patient to their master's nod they kneel,
How mild amid the scowls the Moslems cast!
Immoveable midst tribes that rave and reel,—
Midst strepent clarions calm, and fire and flashing steel!
93
And nigh yon gaudier tent what forms grotesque,
Gray-mantled—their eyes fasten'd to the ground?
They start as by one impulse, circling frisk,
Leap upwards wing'd in air, and whirling round
The dance urge maddening to a burst of sound!
Still giddily they thread the mystic maze;
The timbrels give new force to every bound:
Their horse-tail lances whilst the pachas raise,
From all the motley camp assembling nations gaze!
Gray-mantled—their eyes fasten'd to the ground?
They start as by one impulse, circling frisk,
Leap upwards wing'd in air, and whirling round
The dance urge maddening to a burst of sound!
Still giddily they thread the mystic maze;
The timbrels give new force to every bound:
Their horse-tail lances whilst the pachas raise,
From all the motley camp assembling nations gaze!
Down drop as from the sudden dart of death,
Down drop the maniacs, and along the sod
Lie motionless, one body without breath!
What mute attention waits “the inspired of God”!
They rise!—as if returning they had trod
Heaven's sapphire floor! They stretch their arms, their eyes,
To where, from that unperishing abode
The Immortals had reveal'd high mysteries!
And hark! I hear, I hear the tidings from the skies!
Down drop the maniacs, and along the sod
Lie motionless, one body without breath!
What mute attention waits “the inspired of God”!
They rise!—as if returning they had trod
Heaven's sapphire floor! They stretch their arms, their eyes,
To where, from that unperishing abode
The Immortals had reveal'd high mysteries!
And hark! I hear, I hear the tidings from the skies!
“Othmans! who to diffuse the holy faith
That beams immutable from Mecca's shrine,
Ye, who have traced through wilds your burning path,
Scoop'd hills of ice, and brav'd the stormy brine;
Who soon, with Stamboul though the West combine,
Shall slay your millions, as ye whilom slew;
To heralds from above your ears incline!
Angels have open'd victory to your view!
(The Arch-Dervise thus exclaim'd) the glorious track pursue!
That beams immutable from Mecca's shrine,
Ye, who have traced through wilds your burning path,
Scoop'd hills of ice, and brav'd the stormy brine;
Who soon, with Stamboul though the West combine,
Shall slay your millions, as ye whilom slew;
To heralds from above your ears incline!
Angels have open'd victory to your view!
(The Arch-Dervise thus exclaim'd) the glorious track pursue!
“Ere long o'er yon black battlements shall float
Our ensigns! See to Othman Cæsar bend!
Then dread nor bulwark, turret, trench, nor moat,
Nor sainted bell! Such terror heaven forfend!
See, Moslemahs! your Mahomet ascend
That shivering fortress! See your Prophet scale
The palace, and its cross asunder rend!
And, if his arm the astonied Greeks assail,
Say, shall their Virgin's threats—their Virgin's tears avail?
Our ensigns! See to Othman Cæsar bend!
Then dread nor bulwark, turret, trench, nor moat,
Nor sainted bell! Such terror heaven forfend!
See, Moslemahs! your Mahomet ascend
94
The palace, and its cross asunder rend!
And, if his arm the astonied Greeks assail,
Say, shall their Virgin's threats—their Virgin's tears avail?
“Midst yonder towers shall shine the sofa'd-cirque,
The pictured ceiling, and the embroider'd crest;
And on your hallow'd roofs shall light the stork,
Sleek her jet wings, and weave her quiet nest,
And (sent from where the sacred relics rest)
Sweet harbinger of mercy, safely shut
Your dwellings from the fire, the putrid pest,
And scatter blessings o'er the lowliest hut
As Aden's cassia-breeze, or gums from Hadramut!
The pictured ceiling, and the embroider'd crest;
And on your hallow'd roofs shall light the stork,
Sleek her jet wings, and weave her quiet nest,
And (sent from where the sacred relics rest)
Sweet harbinger of mercy, safely shut
Your dwellings from the fire, the putrid pest,
And scatter blessings o'er the lowliest hut
As Aden's cassia-breeze, or gums from Hadramut!
“Yet know, to each resistless Destiny
Decrees or life or death, o'erruling all;
And to the soldier, if foredoom'd to die,
Suits his own shaft, or sends his certain ball;
And they, who grappling with the foeman fall,
Shall to new life, sustain'd by angels, rise!
Then mount, my sons! then mount the mouldering wall,
And, if ye win no transient earthly prize,
Yours be the eternal bowers, the blooms of Paradise.
Decrees or life or death, o'erruling all;
And to the soldier, if foredoom'd to die,
Suits his own shaft, or sends his certain ball;
And they, who grappling with the foeman fall,
Shall to new life, sustain'd by angels, rise!
Then mount, my sons! then mount the mouldering wall,
And, if ye win no transient earthly prize,
Yours be the eternal bowers, the blooms of Paradise.
“There bubbling founts from rocks of crystal play,
And cool in tinkling rills, refresh the glade:
To her own rose the bulbul swells the lay,
And spring's young colours blush through every shade:
There, to no asp, no tusky boar betray'd
The cave, far opening to its roof, allures
Voluptuous pairs; and many a black-ey'd maid
The sweet sigh mingles with her paramour's:
Such is the promis'd bliss—such, Moslems! such be yours!
And cool in tinkling rills, refresh the glade:
To her own rose the bulbul swells the lay,
And spring's young colours blush through every shade:
There, to no asp, no tusky boar betray'd
95
Voluptuous pairs; and many a black-ey'd maid
The sweet sigh mingles with her paramour's:
Such is the promis'd bliss—such, Moslems! such be yours!
“Yes! from the serpent safe, the ravenous tusk,
Shall fleet your rapturous moments. Yours the girls
Sprung to immortal youth from purest musk!
Lo, from pavilions hollowed out in pearls
They come! And each o'er his green couch unfurls
The rosy silk, to veil love's joys intense!
And, at each trembling pause, as pleasure whirls
Lap'd in delirious trance, the unsated sense,
Gay boys to every couch their sparkling cups dispense.”
Shall fleet your rapturous moments. Yours the girls
Sprung to immortal youth from purest musk!
Lo, from pavilions hollowed out in pearls
They come! And each o'er his green couch unfurls
The rosy silk, to veil love's joys intense!
And, at each trembling pause, as pleasure whirls
Lap'd in delirious trance, the unsated sense,
Gay boys to every couch their sparkling cups dispense.”
He ceas'd. The minstrels with impetuous air
As if to fan the soothsayer's flagging fires,
Each brandishing his dissonant guitar,
Hurried with rude hand through the crashing wires.
And some, as to their paradise aspires
The fever'd thought, by many a random stroke
(Meet symptom of importunate desires)
Bade the harsh timbrel from their grots evoke
Along the Pontic shore, the spirits of the rock.
As if to fan the soothsayer's flagging fires,
Each brandishing his dissonant guitar,
Hurried with rude hand through the crashing wires.
And some, as to their paradise aspires
The fever'd thought, by many a random stroke
(Meet symptom of importunate desires)
Bade the harsh timbrel from their grots evoke
Along the Pontic shore, the spirits of the rock.
There is a sudden silence in the camp!
The breezes faint and fainter sympathize
With passion's breathlessness. A hollow tramp—
And echo indistinctly falls and dies
Upon the doubtful sense. The dread emprise
Awakens every hope and every fear!
And now, as billows upon billows rise,
Heard ye not hoarser sounds—yet—yet more near,
Gathering as in the van—remurmur'd in the rear?
The breezes faint and fainter sympathize
With passion's breathlessness. A hollow tramp—
And echo indistinctly falls and dies
Upon the doubtful sense. The dread emprise
Awakens every hope and every fear!
And now, as billows upon billows rise,
Heard ye not hoarser sounds—yet—yet more near,
Gathering as in the van—remurmur'd in the rear?
96
And now pale expectation all aloof
The din of horsemen from the deep defile,
Hark!—near and nearer still the rampant hoof!
Now rapid through the ruins of yon pile,
What sparkled, like illusion, sinks awhile!
Now rising, flashes all the embattled force,
Round yon green knoll unwinding coil on coil;
Oh, hear ye not the whirlwind of their course?
Breaking from out the cloud, behold each warrior-horse
The din of horsemen from the deep defile,
Hark!—near and nearer still the rampant hoof!
Now rapid through the ruins of yon pile,
What sparkled, like illusion, sinks awhile!
Now rising, flashes all the embattled force,
Round yon green knoll unwinding coil on coil;
Oh, hear ye not the whirlwind of their course?
Breaking from out the cloud, behold each warrior-horse
And, mark ye that imperious steed? He paws
The smoking turf—his mane the boreal stream!
Prancing, he seems to swallow up applause—
To swallow as his own his master's fame.
Distinct the mailplates of the Sovereign gleam,
As o'er his head the crimson banners fly:
The diamonds of his deadly dagger flame!
To the shrill trumpets, lo! the troops draw nigh,
And armies lick the dust before his withering eye.
The smoking turf—his mane the boreal stream!
Prancing, he seems to swallow up applause—
To swallow as his own his master's fame.
Distinct the mailplates of the Sovereign gleam,
As o'er his head the crimson banners fly:
The diamonds of his deadly dagger flame!
To the shrill trumpets, lo! the troops draw nigh,
And armies lick the dust before his withering eye.
Stern was his visage; and his falcon glance
Around upon a herd of slaves he cast;
And with so fierce an air he shook the lance,
That princedoms, pachalates fell back aghast!
“Chiefs! Janizaries! bid my heralds haste,
And through the camp their Soldan's will proclaim!
Yon spires, yon fanes, to solemnize your fast,
Shall bow their pinnacles to Islam's name!
High glory to the brave—to traitors deadly shame!
Around upon a herd of slaves he cast;
And with so fierce an air he shook the lance,
That princedoms, pachalates fell back aghast!
“Chiefs! Janizaries! bid my heralds haste,
And through the camp their Soldan's will proclaim!
Yon spires, yon fanes, to solemnize your fast,
Shall bow their pinnacles to Islam's name!
High glory to the brave—to traitors deadly shame!
“Ye, who have witness'd where the battle rang,
The firebolts, the keen arrows' mingling flight,
Where acclamations drown'd the mortal clang—
Ye tribes, that shudder to Medina's might;—
Know, Greece hath sunk, unsceptred, in the night
That knows no boundary! By Mohammed's fount!
We shall lay low the crafty Nazarite!
Soon o'er the neck of Europe shall we mount,
Fair brothers of the sun! You pass'd the Hellespont!
The firebolts, the keen arrows' mingling flight,
Where acclamations drown'd the mortal clang—
Ye tribes, that shudder to Medina's might;—
Know, Greece hath sunk, unsceptred, in the night
97
We shall lay low the crafty Nazarite!
Soon o'er the neck of Europe shall we mount,
Fair brothers of the sun! You pass'd the Hellespont!
“I have discomfited the great, the proud!
I have asunder snapp'd the strength of war;
O'er all the city on its heavy cloud
Hangs, in pale guise, the spectre of Despair!
Behold! my captive Theon was a star
Refulgent through the Grecian firmament:
Cheer'd by his beams I saw e'en dastards dare.
But well nigh is the princely splendour spent;
To light a glimmering cell—a loathsome dungeon lent.
I have asunder snapp'd the strength of war;
O'er all the city on its heavy cloud
Hangs, in pale guise, the spectre of Despair!
Behold! my captive Theon was a star
Refulgent through the Grecian firmament:
Cheer'd by his beams I saw e'en dastards dare.
But well nigh is the princely splendour spent;
To light a glimmering cell—a loathsome dungeon lent.
“Fly not—though liquid fire its cataracts pour—
That inextinguishable fire! I wield
To seal the vengeance of the destined hour,
The magic lance that won so many a field.
And lo! to my all-conquering prowess yield
Earth, air, and seas! My barks that plough'd the deep,
(With echoes not their own whilst rapture fill'd
Scaur and dark dale) I plunged down yonder steep,
And shaped their boiling track with necromantic sweep.
That inextinguishable fire! I wield
To seal the vengeance of the destined hour,
The magic lance that won so many a field.
And lo! to my all-conquering prowess yield
Earth, air, and seas! My barks that plough'd the deep,
(With echoes not their own whilst rapture fill'd
Scaur and dark dale) I plunged down yonder steep,
And shaped their boiling track with necromantic sweep.
“Then know, if any wretch from shot or shaft
Run trembling, by the vault of heaven I swear,
I will arrest him, though an eagle waft
The recreant's body through the realms of air!
Yes! may their rage my reeking heartstrings tear,
If demons give not to the burning knife
New venom!—if where whips of scorpions glare,
I bid not fiends, with human joy at strife,
By hell's own agonies protract the pangs of life.
Run trembling, by the vault of heaven I swear,
I will arrest him, though an eagle waft
The recreant's body through the realms of air!
Yes! may their rage my reeking heartstrings tear,
98
New venom!—if where whips of scorpions glare,
I bid not fiends, with human joy at strife,
By hell's own agonies protract the pangs of life.
“See, flushing up again its faded ray,
See Gabriel's self in yon descending orb,
Sure messenger!—Once more the parting day
Once only shall the ‘golden horn’ absorb
Ere victory shall lift up her voice!—Then curb
Your daring, till arise that dazzling morn!
And him, whom no false fears of fate disturb,
Who overtops yon rampires, foremost borne,
Him shall the robe of power—the sabled robe adorn.
See Gabriel's self in yon descending orb,
Sure messenger!—Once more the parting day
Once only shall the ‘golden horn’ absorb
Ere victory shall lift up her voice!—Then curb
Your daring, till arise that dazzling morn!
And him, whom no false fears of fate disturb,
Who overtops yon rampires, foremost borne,
Him shall the robe of power—the sabled robe adorn.
“Yon towers—yon splendid structures all are mine!
But to my valiant troops the uncounted spoil,
The treasures of the city I resign—
Right meed of warlike worth—of pearls a pile!
Luxurious baths, and love's consenting smile!
To each, a province! There, if woods have charms—
If lawns—if glens—shall sports his day beguile;
His only war, the hunter's brisk alarms—
His pleasure after toil, enamour'd beauty's arms!”
But to my valiant troops the uncounted spoil,
The treasures of the city I resign—
Right meed of warlike worth—of pearls a pile!
Luxurious baths, and love's consenting smile!
To each, a province! There, if woods have charms—
If lawns—if glens—shall sports his day beguile;
His only war, the hunter's brisk alarms—
His pleasure after toil, enamour'd beauty's arms!”
Sudden, the tambour's swell, and cymbal's clank
And sulph'rous volley shook the camp, the strand,
And died among the mountains. Rank on rank,
Waved into being as by sorcerer's wand,
Already had in thought a bristling band,
Pour'd thro' the shatter'd gate midst arrowy showers,
And vengeance triumph'd in the flaming brand;
In thought already had they scal'd the towers;
Already had they seiz'd the Harem's sacred bowers.
And sulph'rous volley shook the camp, the strand,
And died among the mountains. Rank on rank,
Waved into being as by sorcerer's wand,
Already had in thought a bristling band,
Pour'd thro' the shatter'd gate midst arrowy showers,
And vengeance triumph'd in the flaming brand;
In thought already had they scal'd the towers;
Already had they seiz'd the Harem's sacred bowers.
“High Alla! the one Alla!”—flew from tent
To tent, amid the frantic uproar, flew;
And with Mohammed's name the air was rent!
And, now its veil o'er all as darkness threw,
On the night-centinels a sanguine hue
Was cast from many a window's
kindling light,
And, far illumed the Euxine's deepening blue,
A long reflexion flash'd from height to height,
And dim Byzantium rose, and quiver'd on the sight.
To tent, amid the frantic uproar, flew;
And with Mohammed's name the air was rent!
And, now its veil o'er all as darkness threw,
On the night-centinels a sanguine hue
99
And, far illumed the Euxine's deepening blue,
A long reflexion flash'd from height to height,
And dim Byzantium rose, and quiver'd on the sight.
The spots rising on the back are described by Statius if I recollect rightly. But the line does not this moment occur to me.
Camels employed in bearing presents to Mecca or Medina —exempt, ever afterwards, from labour. See Beloe's Herodotus ii. 123. note.
This image of the stork would be as important to a Turk, as that of the lion lying down with the ox, or the child playing with the cockatrice, to a Christian—an image of holy peace and tranquillity.
It appears that, gunpowder just coming into use, the engines and instruments of ancient and modern war were now almost for the first time employed together.
His transporting by land his lighter vessels and military stores from the Bosphorus into the higher parts of the harbour, was certainly an enterprise of a marvellous cast.
| Reminiscences, in Prose and Verse | |