Zophiel Part 6

XLIX.

"Hadst thou but seen, on Tigris' banks, this morn Wasting her wild complaints, a wretched maid, Stung with her wrongs--lone--beauty-reft--forlorn-- And learned 'twas ev'n thy Meles who betrayed,

"Well hadst thou then shrunk to return his love But wherefore now, on theme of sorrow bide?-- What would thy beauty? here I wait--nay, prove A spirit's power, nor be my boon denied!

"I'll tell thee secrets of the neither earth And highest heaven--or dost some service crave?

Declare thy bidding, best of mortal birth, I'll be thy winged messenger, thy slave." (7)

L.

Then softly Egla, "Lovely being tell-- In pity to the grief thy lips betray The knowledge of--say with some kindly spell Dost come from heaven, to charm my pains away?

"Alas! what know'st thou of my plighted lord?

If guilt pollute him, as unless mine ear Deceive me in the purport of thy word, Thou mean'st t' imply--kind spirit rest not here

"But to my father hasten and make known The fearful truth: my doom is his command; Writ in heaven's book, I guard the oath I've sworn Unless he will to blot it by thine hand."

LI.

"Thy plight to Meles little need avail."

Zophiel replies: "ere morn, if't be thy will To Lybian deserts he shall howl his tale I'll hurl him, at thy word, o'er forest, sea and hill.

LII.

"By all the frauds, which forged in his black breast, Come forth so white and silvery from his tongue, My potency he soon shall prove; nor rest To banquet on the blood of hearts by him unstrung,

"And reft of all their music. Every pain By him inflicted for his own vile joys Rend his vile self! fruition not again Shall crown such arts as now the slave employs!

"But sooth thee, maiden, be thy soul at peace; Mine be the care to hasten to thy sire And null thy vow: let every terror cease: Perfect success attends thy least desire."

LIII.

Then lowly bending with seraphic grace The vase he proffered full; and not a gem Drawn forth successive from its sparkling place But put to shame the Persian diadem.

LIV.

While he "Nay, let me o'er thy white arms bind These orient pearls less smooth; Egla, for thee, My thrilling substance pained by storm and wind, I sought them mid the caverns of the sea.

"And here's a ruby drinking solar rays I saw it redden on a mountain tip, Now on thy snowy bosom let it blaze: 'Twill blush still deeper to behold thy lip.

"Look, for thy hair a garland; every flower That spreads its blossoms, watered by the tear Of the sad slave in Babylonian bower, Might see its fraid bright hues perpetuate here.

"For morn's light bell, this changeful amythist A sapphire for the violet's tender blue; Large opals for the queen-rose zephyr-kist; And here are emeralds of ev'ry hue For ev'ry folded bud and leaflet dropped with dew.

LV.

"And here's a diamond cull'd from Indian mine To gift a haughty queen: it might not be-- I knew a worthier brow, sister divine, And brought the gem; for well I deem for thee

"The 'arch-chymic sun' in earth's dark bosom wrought To prison thus a ray; that when dull night Lours o'er his realms and nature's all seems nought She whom he grieves to leave may still behold his light." [FN#18]

Thus spake he on, for still the wondering maid Gazed, as a youthful artist,--rapturously, Each perfect, smooth, harmonious limb survey'd Insatiate still her beauty-loving eye.

[FN#18] It was not unusual among the nations of the east, to imitate flowers with precious stones. The Persian kings about the time of Artaxerxes, sat, when they gave audience under a vine, the leaves of which were formed of gold and the grapes of emeralds.

LVI.

For Zophiel wore a mortal form; and blent In mortal form, when perfect, nature shows Her all that's fair, enhanc'd; fire, firmament, Ocean, earth flowers and gems, all there disclose

Their charms epitomized: the heavenly power To lavish beauty, in this last work crown'd-- And Egla form'd of fibres such as dower Those who most feel, forgot all else around.

LVII.

He saw, and softening every wily word Spoke in more melting music to her soul, And o'er her sense as when the fond night bird Woos the full rose o'erpowering fragrance stole. (6)

Or when the lillies, sleepier perfume, move, Disturbed by too young sister-fawns, that play Among their graceful stalks at morn, and love From their white cells to lip the dews away.

LVIII.

She strove to speak, but 'twas in murmurs low, While o'er her cheek, his potent spell confessing, Deeper diffused the warm carnation glow Still dewy wet with tears her inmost soul confessing.

As the little reptile, in some lonely grove, With fixed bright eye of facinating flame Lures on by slow degrees the plaining dove, So nearer--nearer still--the bride and spirit came.

LIX.

"Thou, strong, invisible, invidious sprite, Now, from my love my peerless mortal s.h.i.+eld-- What exultation for thy power to night!

Look on thy beauteous charge!--why does she yield?"

LX.

Thus secret he, the pearly bracelet holding, Lending his lip to accents sweetlier bland The light that clipt him, half the maid enfolding Half given--tho' dubious half--her lilly hand.

LXI.

Success seemed his;--but secret, in the height And pride of transport; as he set at nought And taunts her guardian power; infernal light Shot from his eye, with guilt and treachery fraught.