The Zenana and minor poems of L. E. L. [i.e. Landon] With a memoir by Emma Roberts |
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CAFÉS IN DAMASCUS.
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 | The Zenana and minor poems of L. E. L. [i.e. Landon] |  |
212
CAFÉS IN DAMASCUS.
Languidly the night-wind bloweth
From the gardens round,
Where the clear Barrada floweth
With a lulling sound.
From the gardens round,
Where the clear Barrada floweth
With a lulling sound.
Not the lute-note's sweet shiver
Can such music find,
As is on a wandering river,
On a wandering wind.
Can such music find,
As is on a wandering river,
On a wandering wind.
213
There the Moslem leaneth, dreaming
O'er the inward world,
While around the fragrant steaming
Of the smoke is curled.
O'er the inward world,
While around the fragrant steaming
Of the smoke is curled.
Rising from the coffee berry,
Dark grape of the South;
Or the pipe of polished cherry,
With its amber mouth.
Dark grape of the South;
Or the pipe of polished cherry,
With its amber mouth.
Cooled by passing through the water,
Gurgling as it flows—
Scented by the Summer's daughter,
June's impassioned rose.
Gurgling as it flows—
Scented by the Summer's daughter,
June's impassioned rose.
By that rose's spirit haunted
Are the dreams that rise,
Of far lands, and lives enchanted,
And of deep black eyes.
Are the dreams that rise,
Of far lands, and lives enchanted,
And of deep black eyes.
214
Thus with some sweet dream's assistance,
Float they down life's stream;
Would to heaven our whole existence
Could be such a dream!
Float they down life's stream;
Would to heaven our whole existence
Could be such a dream!
In the olden time, when the churches were strewn with rushes, the ceremony of changing them was a yearly religious festival. The custom, once universal, now lingers only in some of the remote northern districts. There, bunches of rushes, gaily ornamented, attended by banners and music, are still borne in triumph by the young people of the village. Last remains of that pastoral poetry which once characterised “merrie England.”
| The Zenana and minor poems of L. E. L. [i.e. Landon] | |