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No. XVI. THE PRINCESS AND THE SLAVE.
ORIGINAL.—M. G. LEWIS.
Where fragrant breezes sigh'd through orange bowers,
And springing fountains cool'd the air with showers,
From pomp retired, and noon-tide's burning ray,
The fair, the royal Nouronihar lay.
The cups of roses, newly-cropp'd, were spread
Her lovely limbs beneath, and o'er her head
Imprison'd nightingales attuned their throats,
And lull'd the princess with melodious notes.
Here roll'd a lucid stream its gentle wave
With scarce heard murmur; while a Georgian slave
Placed near the couch with feathers in her hand,
The lady's panting breast in silence fann'd,
And chased the insects, who presumed to seek
Their banquet on the beauty's glowing cheek.
This slave, a mild and simple maid was she,
Of common form, and born of low degree,
Whose only charms were smiles, devoid of art,
Whose only wealth, a gentle feeling heart.
And springing fountains cool'd the air with showers,
From pomp retired, and noon-tide's burning ray,
The fair, the royal Nouronihar lay.
The cups of roses, newly-cropp'd, were spread
Her lovely limbs beneath, and o'er her head
Imprison'd nightingales attuned their throats,
And lull'd the princess with melodious notes.
Here roll'd a lucid stream its gentle wave
With scarce heard murmur; while a Georgian slave
Placed near the couch with feathers in her hand,
The lady's panting breast in silence fann'd,
And chased the insects, who presumed to seek
Their banquet on the beauty's glowing cheek.
This slave, a mild and simple maid was she,
Of common form, and born of low degree,
Whose only charms were smiles, devoid of art,
Whose only wealth, a gentle feeling heart.
While thus within her secret loved retreat,
Half sleeping, half awake, oppress'd with heat,
The princess slumber'd; near her, shrill, yet faint,
Rose the sad tones of suppliant sorrow's plaint.
She starts, and angry gazes round: when lo!
A wretched female, bent with age and woe,
Drags her unsteady feet the arbour nigh,
While every step is number'd by a sigh.
Meagre and wan her form, her cheek is pale;
Her tatter'd garments scarce her limbs can veil;
Yet still, through want and grief, her air betrays
Grandeur's remains, and gleams of better days.
Soon as to Nouronihar's couch she came,
Low on the ground her weak and trembling frame
Exhausted sank; and then, with gasping breast,
She thus in plaintive tones the fair address'd.
—“If e'er compassion's tear your cheek could stain,
Half sleeping, half awake, oppress'd with heat,
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Rose the sad tones of suppliant sorrow's plaint.
She starts, and angry gazes round: when lo!
A wretched female, bent with age and woe,
Drags her unsteady feet the arbour nigh,
While every step is number'd by a sigh.
Meagre and wan her form, her cheek is pale;
Her tatter'd garments scarce her limbs can veil;
Yet still, through want and grief, her air betrays
Grandeur's remains, and gleams of better days.
Soon as to Nouronihar's couch she came,
Low on the ground her weak and trembling frame
Exhausted sank; and then, with gasping breast,
She thus in plaintive tones the fair address'd.
“If e'er you languish'd in disease and pain,
“If e'er you sympathized with age's groan,
“Hear, noble lady, hear a suppliant's moan!
“Broken by days of want, and nights of tears,
“By sickness wasted, and oppress'd by years,
“Beneath our sacred Mithra's scorching fire
“I sink enfeebled, and with thirst expire.
“Yon stream is near: oh! list a sufferer's cry,
“And reach one draught of water, lest I die!”—
—“What means this bold intrusion?” cried the fair,
With peevish tone, and discontented air;
“What daring voice, with wearying plaint, infests
“The sacred grove where Persia's princess rests?
“Beggar begone, and let these clamours cease!
“This buys at once your absence, and my peace.”—
Thus said the princess, and indignant frown'd,
Then cast her precious bracelet on the ground,
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The fainting stranger saw the jewel lie:
When lo! kind Selima (the Georgian's name),
Softly with water from the fountain came;
And while, with gentle grace, she gave the bowl,
Thus sweetly sad her feeling accents stole.
—“Humble and poor, I nothing can bestow,
“Except these tears of pity for your woe:
“'Tis all I have; but yet that all receive
“From one who fain your sorrows would relieve,
“From one who weeps to view such mournful scenes,
“And would give more, but that her hand lacks means.
“Drink, mother! drink! the wave is cool and clear,
“But drink in silence, lest the princess hear!”—
Scarce are these words pronounc'd, when, bless'd surprize!
The stranger's age-bowed figure swells its size!
No more the stamp of years deforms her face;
Her tatter'd shreds to sparkling robes give place;
Her breath perfumes the air with odours sweet;
Fresh roses spring wherever tread her feet,
And from her eyes, where reign delight and love,
Unusual splendour glitters through the grove!
Her silver wand, her form of heavenly mould,
Her white and shining robes, her wings of gold,
Her port majestic, and superior height,
Announce a daughter of the world of light!
The princess, whom her slave's delighted cries
Compell'd once more to ope her sleep-bound eyes,
With wonder mix'd with awe the scene survey'd,
While thus the Peri cheer'd the captive maid.
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“I seek my darling son's predestined bride,
“And here I find her: here are found alone,
“Feelings as kind, as gracious as his own.
“For you, fair princess, in whose eyes of blue,
“The strife of envy, shame, and grief, I view,
“Observe, and profit by this scene! you gave,
“But oh! how far less nobly than your slave!
“Your bitter speech, proud glance, and peevish tone,
“Too plain declared, your gift was meant alone
“Your own repose and silence to secure,
“And hush the beggar, not relieve the poor!
“Oh! royal lady, let this lesson prove,
“Smiles, more than presents, win a suppliant's love;
“And when your mandates rule some distant land,
“Where all expect their blessings from your hand,
“Remember, with ill-will and frowns bestow'd,
“Favours offend, and gifts become a load!”—
She ceased, and touching with her silver wand
Her destined daughter, straight two wings expand
Their purple plumes, and wave o'er either arm;
Next to her person spreads the powerful charm:
And soon the enraptured wondering maid combined
A faultless person with a faultless mind.
Then, while with joy divine their hearts beat high,
Swift as the lightning of a jealous eye
The Peries spread their wings, and soar'd away
To the bless'd regions of eternal day.
Stung with regret, the princess saw too plain,
Lost by her fault what tears could ne'er regain!
Long on the tablets of her humbled breast
The Peri's parting words remain'd impress'd.
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And subject realms her mild behests obey'd,
The just reproof her conscious ear still heard;
Still she remember'd, with ill grace conferr'd,
Crowns, to a feeling mind, less joy impart,
Than trifles, offer'd with a willing heart.
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