University of Virginia Library

VERSIFICATION OF THE SPEECH OF GEOORGIN TO BEYUN, (FROM THE SHAH NAMEH.)

Seest thou yon shelter'd vale of various dye,
Refreshing prospect to the warrior's eye?
Yon dusky grove, yon garden blooming fair,
The turf of velvet, and of musk the air?
Surcharged with sweets the languid river glides,
The lilies bending o'er its silver tides;
While through the copse in bashful beauty glows
The dark luxuriance of the lurking rose.
Now seen, now lost, amid the flowery maze,
With slender foot the nimble pheasant strays;
The ringdove's murmur lulls the cypress dell,
And richest notes of tranced Philomel.
Still, still the same, through every circling year,
Unwearied spring renews an Eden here.
And mark, my friend, where many a sylph-like maid
Weaves the lithe dance beneath the citron shade!
Where chief, of Touran's king the matchless child,
Beams like a sun-ray through this scented wild;
Sitara next, her sister, beauteous queen,
Than rose or fairest jasmine fairer seen;
And last, their Turkish maids, whose sleepy eyes
Laugh from beneath each envious veil's disguise;
Whose length of locks the coal-black musk disclose,
Their forms the cypress, and their cheeks the rose;
While on their sugar'd lips the grape's rich water glows.
How blest the traveller not forbid to stay
In such sweet bowers the scorching summer's day!
How fam'd the knight whose dauntless arm should bear
To great Khi-Kusroo's court a Turkish fair!