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They to their wonted banquet of old years Turned eager, and the narrow pa.s.s was free.
And now before their path The opening cave dilates; They reach a s.p.a.cious vault Where the black river fountains burst their way.
Now as a whirlwind's force Had centered on the spring, The gus.h.i.+ng flood rolled up; And now the deadened roar Echoed beneath them, as its sudden pause Left wide a dark abyss, Adown whose fathomless gulphs the eye was lost.
Blue flames that hovered o'er the springs Flung thro' the Cavern their uncertain light Now waving on the waves they lay, And now their fiery curls Flowed in long tresses up, And now contracting glowed with whiter heat.
Then up they poured again Darting pale flashes thro' the tremulous air; The flames, the red and yellow sulphur-smoke, And the black darkness of the vault Commingling indivisibly.
"Here," quoth Mohareb, "do the Angels dwell, "The Teachers of Enchantment." Thalaba Then raised his voice and cried, "Haruth and Maruth, hear me! not with rites "Accursed, to disturb your penitence "And learn forbidden lore, "Repentant Angels, seek I your abode.
"Me Allah and the Prophet mission here, "Their chosen servant I.
"Tell me the Talisman."...
"And dost thou think"
"Mohareb cried, as with a scornful smile He glanced upon his comrade, "dost thou think "To trick them of their secret? for the dupes "Of human-kind keep this lip-righteousness!
"'Twill serve thee in the Mosque "And in the Market-place, "But Spirits view the heart.
"Only by strong and torturing spells enforced, "Those stubborn Angels teach the charm "By which we must descend."
"Descend!" said Thalaba.
But then the wrinkling smile Forsook Mohareb's cheek, And darker feelings settled on his brow.
"Now by my soul," quoth he, "and I believe "Idiot! that I have led "Some camel-kneed prayer-monger thro' the cave!
"What brings thee hither? thou shouldest have a hut "By some Saint's[105] grave beside the public way, "There to less-knowing fools "Retail thy Koran[106] sc.r.a.ps, "And in thy turn, die civet-like at last "In the dung-perfume of thy sanct.i.ty!...
"Ye whom I seek! that, led by me, "Feet uninitiate tread "Your threshold, this atones!
"Fit sacrifice he falls!"
And forth he flashed his scymetar, And raised the murderous blow.
Then ceased his power; his lifted arm, Suspended by the spell, Hung impotent to strike.
"Poor Hypocrite!" cried he, "And this then is thy faith "In Allah and the Prophet! they had failed "To save thee, but for Magic's stolen aid; "Yea, they had left thee yonder Serpent's meal, "But that, in prudent cowardice, "The chosen Servant of the Lord came in, "Safe follower of my path!"
"Blasphemer! dost thou boast of guiding me?"
Kindling with pride quoth Thalaba, "Blindly the wicked work "The righteous will of Heaven.
"Sayest thou that diffident of G.o.d, "In magic spell I trust?
"Liar! let witness this!"
And he drew off Abdaldar's Ring And cast it in the gulph.
A skinny hand came up And caught it as it fell, And peals of devilish laughter shook the Cave.
Then joy suffused Mohareb's cheek, And Thalaba beheld The blue blade gleam, descending to destroy.
The undefended youth Sprung forward, and he seized Mohareb in his grasp, And grappled with him breast to breast.
Sinewy and large of limb Mohareb was, Broad-shouldered, and his joints Knit firm, and in the strife Of danger practised well.
Time had not thus matured young Thalaba: But now the enthusiast mind, The inspiration of his soul Poured vigour like the strength Of madness thro' his frame.
Mohareb reels before him! he right on With knee, with breast, with arm, Presses the staggering foe!
And now upon the brink Of that tremendous spring, There with fresh impulse and a rush of force He thrust him from his hold.
The upwhirling flood received Mohareb, then, absorbed, Engulphed him in the abyss.
Thalaba's breath came fast, And panting he breathed out A broken prayer of thankfulness.
At length he spake and said, "Haruth and Maruth! are ye here?
"Or has that evil guide misled my search?
"I, Thalaba, the Servant of the Lord, "Invoke you. Hear me Angels! so may Heaven "Accept and mitigate your penitence.
"I go to root from earth the Sorcerer brood, "Tell me the needful Talisman!"
Thus as he spake, rec.u.mbent on the rock Beyond the black abyss, Their forms grew visible.
A settled sorrow sate upon their brows, Sorrow alone, for trace of guilt and shame No more remained; and gradual as by prayer The sin was purged away, Their robe[107] of glory, purified of stain Resumed the l.u.s.tre of its native light.
In awe the youth received the answering voice, "Son of Hodeirah! thou hast proved it here; "The Talisman is Faith."
_END OF THE FIRST VOLUME._
Thalaba the Destroyer.
by
Robert Southey.
[Greek: Poiematon akrates e eleutheria, kai nomos eis, to doxan to poiete.]
_Lucian, Quomodo Hist. scribenda._
THE SECOND VOLUME.
_LONDON_: PRINTED FOR T. N. LONGMAN AND O. REES, PATERNOSTER-ROW, BY BIGGS AND COTTLE, BRISTOL.
1801.
_CONTENTS._
The sixth Book 1 The seventh Book 51 The eighth Book 89 The ninth Book 139 The tenth Book 203 The eleventh Book 261 The twelfth Book 299
The Sixth Book.
_THALABA THE DESTROYER._
_THE SIXTH BOOK._
