Beauties of the mind, a poetical sketch :: :: University of Virginia Library

“The passion of a Syrian youth completed the ruin of the exiles of Damascus. A nobleman of the city, of the name of Phocyas, was betrothed to a wealthy maiden; but her parents delayed the consummation of his nuptials, and their daughter was persuaded to escape with the man whom she had chosen. They corrupted the nightly watchmen of the gate Keisan: the lover, who led the way, was encompassed by a squadron of Arabs; but his exclamation in the Greek tongue—‘The bird is taken,’ admonished his mistress to hasten her return. In the presence of Caled, and of death, the unfortunate Phocyas professed his belief in Mahomet. When the city was taken, he flew to the monastery where Eudocia had taken refuge; but the Apostate was scorned!”

Gibbon's Roman Empire.

I

Away!—Speak not to me of days
Of hopes that erst have been;
Speak not to me—nor mock my gaze
With tears—as false as mean!
I tell thee—but, oh! words are vain—
Thou traitor to thy land—thou stain—
Would I had never seen
The hour which paralysed thy fame,
And gave thee an Apostate's name!

II

Oh, hadst thou foremost led the fight,
Where Syria's banners wave,
In aid of thine own country's right,
To perish—or to save!
If thou hadst crushed the Moslem foe
That dared to lay our altars low—
True to the vow I gave,
I would have loved thee to the last,
But, go!—that hope is lost—is past!

III

Still stand'st thou here, with breast and brow
Thus servilely arrayed;—
Where is the light of honour now,
The pride—thou once displayed:
Thine eye is dim—thine arm is weak—
The dastard's hue imbues thy cheek—
Thou shameless Renegade!
Speak'st thou of my recorded vow!—
He was a Man I loved—not Thou!

IV

Go!—Scorned by all, thy monument
Shall register thy shame;
Thou delegate of evil—sent
To scourge with sword and flame!
False to thy God!—thy Country's woe!—
Oh! grief, that I should ever know
Thy miserable name!
Would when this day arose, its gloom
Had burst upon Eudocia's tomb!