LX.

Just at this season Ramazani's fast

Through the long day its penance did maintain; But when the lingering twilight hour was past, Revel and feast assum'd the rule again:

Now all was bustle, and the menial train Prepar'd and spread the plenteous board within; The vacant gallery now seem'd made in vain, But from the chambers came the mingling din, As page and slave anon were passing out and in.

LXI.

Here woman's voice is never heard: apart,
And scarce permitted, guarded, veil'd, to move,
She yields to one her person and her heart,
Tam'd to her cage, nor feels a wish to rove:
For, not unhappy in her master's love,
And joyful in a mother's gentlest cares,

Blest cares! all other feelings far above!

Herself more sweetly rears the babe she bears,

Who never quits the breast, no meaner passion shares.

LXII.

In marble-pav'd pavilion, where a spring
Of living water from the centre rose,

Whose bubbling did a genial freshness fling,
And soft voluptuous couches breath'd repose,
ALI reclin'd, a man of war and woes;

Yet in his lineaments ye cannot trace,

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The deeds that lurk beneath, and stain him with disgrace.

LXIII.

It is not that yon hoary lengthening beard

Ill suits the passions which belong to youth;

Love conquers, age-so Hafiz hath averr'd, f

So sings the Teian, and he sings in sooth

But crimes that scorn the tender voice of Ruth, "
Beseeming all men ill, but most the man

In years, have marked him with a tyger's tooth Blood follows blood, and, through their mortal span, In bloodier acts conclude those who with blood began.'}

LXIV.

'Mid many things most new to ear and eye.
The pilgrim rested here his weary feet,
And gaz'd around on Moslem luxury,
Till quickly wearied with that spacious seat

Of Wealth and Wantonness, the choice retreat
Of sated Grandeur from the city's noise:

And were it humbler it in sooth were sweet;

But Peace abhorreth artificial joys,

And Pleasure, leagued with Pomp, the zest of both destroys.

LXV.

Fierce are Albania's children, yet they lack
Not virtues, were those virtues more mature.
Where is the foe that ever saw their back?

Who can so well the toil of war endure?

Their native fastnesses not more secure

Than they in doubtful time of troublous need:
Their wrath how deadly! but their friendship sure,
When Gratitude or Valour bids them bleed,

Unshaken rushing on where'er their chief may lead.

H

· LXVI.

Childe Harold saw them in their chieftain's tower Thronging to war in splendour and success; h And after view'd them, when, within their power, Himself awhile the victim of distress;....., GA That saddening hour when bad men hotlier press: But these did shelter him beneath their roof, 2 bath When less barbarians would have cheer'd him less, And fellow-countrymen have stood aloof" In aught that tries the heart how few withstand the proof!

LXVII.

T

When all around was desolate and dark; aidero

To land was perilous, to sojourn more; - bok
Yet for awhile the mariners forbore,
Dubious to trust where treachery might lurk; T
oT

At length they ventur'd forth, though doubting søre
That those who loathe alike the Frank and Turk

Might once again renew their ancient butcher-work. boa

LXVIII.

Vain fear! the Suliotes stretch'd the welcome hand,
Led them o'er rocks and past the dangerous swamp,
Kinder than polish'd slaves though not so bland,
And pil'd the hearth, and wrung their garments damp,
And fill'd the bowl, and trimm'd the cheerful lamp,
And spread their fare; though homely, all they had:
Such conduct bears Philanthropy's rare stamp

To rest the weary and to soothe the sad,

Doth lesson happier men, and shames at least the bad. i

LXIX.

It came to pass, that when he did adderss
Himself to quit at length this mountain-land,
Combin'd marauders half-way barr'd egress,
And wasted far and near with glaive and brand;
And therefore did he take a trusty band

To traverse Acarnania's forest wide,

In war well season'd, and with labours tann'd, A

Till he did greet white Achelous' tide,

3

r

And from his further bank Ætolia's wolds espied. 14