But see he starts then? That dreadful shout! -across the glen From the land - side it comes and loud Rings thro' the chasm, as if the crowd Of fearful things that haunt that dell, Its Ghouls and Divs and shapes of hell, Had all in one dread howl broke out, So loud, so terrible that shout! They come- -the Moslems come! he cries, His proud soul mounting to his eyes, Now, Spirits of the Brave, who roam Enfranchised thro' yon starry dome, Rejoice for souls of kindred fire Are on the wing to join your choir! He said - and, light as bridegrooms bound - To their young loves, reclimbed the steep And gained the Shrine round - his Chiefs stood round Their swords, as with instinctive leap, Together at that cry accurst Had from their sheaths like sunbeams burst. And hark! again again it rings; Near and more near its echoings Peal thro' the chasm - oh! who that then - - Had seen those listening warrior- men , With their swords graspt, their eyes of flame Turned on their Chief- could doubt the shame, The indignant shame with which they thrill To hear those shouts and yet stand still? He read their thoughts- they were his own What! while our arms can wield these blades, "Shall we die tamely? die alone? Without one victim to our shades , "One Moslem heart, where buried deep The sabre from its toil may sleep? "No - God of IRAN'S burning skies! Thou scornest the inglorious sacrifice. "Notho' of all earth's hope bereft, Life, swords, and vengeance still are left. We'll make yon valley's reeking caves Live in the awe-struck minds of men Till tyrants shudder, when their slaves Tell of the Gheber's bloody glen . Follow, brave hearts! -this pile re mains Our refuge still from life and chains; But his the best, the holiest bed, | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...GOLD COAST CUSTOMS by EDITH SITWELL THE WANDERER: 2. IN FRANCE: THE PORTRAIT by EDWARD ROBERT BULWER-LYTTON MONOTONOUS VARIETY by FRANKLIN PIERCE ADAMS AT PARTING by JOHANNA AMBROSIUS FIRST CYCLE OF LOVE POEMS: 2 by GEORGE BARKER |