AWAY! though still thy sword is red With life-blood from my sire, No drop of thine may now be shed To quench my bosom's fire; Though on my heart 'twould fall more blest Than dews upon the desert's breast. I've sought thee 'midst the sons of men, Through the wide city's fanes; I've sought thee by the lion's den, O'er pathless, boundless plains; No step that marked the burning waste, But mine its lonely course hath traced. Thy name hath been a baleful spell O'er my dark spirit cast; No thought may dream, no words may tell, What there unseen hath passed: This withered cheek, this faded eye, Are seals of thee -- behold! and fly! Hath not my cup for thee been poured, Beneath the palm-tree's shade? Hath not soft sleep thy frame restored, Within my dwelling laid? What though unknown -- yet who shall rest Secure -- if not the Arab's guest? Haste thee! and leave my threshold-floor Inviolate and pure! Let not thy presence tempt me more, -- Man may not thus endure! A way! I bear a fettered arm, A heart that burns -- but must not harm! Begone! outstrip the swift gazelle! The wind in speed subdue! Fear cannot fly so swift, so well, As vengeance shall pursue; And hate, like love, in parting pain, Smiles o'er one hope -- we meet again! To-morrow -- and the avenger's hand The warrior's dart is free! E'en now, no spot in all thy land, Save this, had sheltered thee: Let blood the monarch's hall profane, -- The Arab's tent must bear no stain! Fly! may the desert's fiery blast Avoid thy secret way! And sternly, till thy steps be past, Its whirlwinds sleep to-day! I would not that thy doom should be Assigned by Heaven to aught but me. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...SONGS FOR MY MOTHER: 3. HER WORDS by ANNA HEMPSTEAD BRANCH OH, SWEET CONTENT by WILLIAM HENRY DAVIES GRAND IS THE SEEN by WALT WHITMAN AN EPITAPH, ON A FOOLISH BOASTER by PHILIP AYRES MY WIFE'S COUSIN, SELECTION by WILLIAM EDMONSTOUNE AYTOUN A SPRING CAROL by ADRA CAROLINE BATCHELDER COUPLETS IN PRAISE by WILFRID SCAWEN BLUNT ON SEEING MISS FONTENELLE IN A FAVOURITE CHARACTER by ROBERT BURNS |