HELLAS: A LYRICAL DRAMA. SCENE, a Terrace on the Seraglio. MAHMUD (sleeping), an Indian Slave sitting beside his Couch. CHORUS OF GREEK CAPTIVE WOMEN. On thy restless pillow, They were stripped from Orient bowers, Be thy sleep Calm and deep, Like theirs who fell-not ours who weep! INDIAN. Away, unlovely dreams! Away, false shapes of sleep! Be his, as Heaven seems, Clear, and bright, and deep! Soft as love, and calm as death, Sweet as a summer night without a breath. CHORUS. Sleep, sleep! our song is laden With the soul of slumber; It was sung by a Samian maiden, ΙΟ Who now keep 19 Whence none may wake, where none shall weep. INDIAN. I touch thy temples pale! I breathe my soul on thee! And could my prayers avail, All my joy should be Dead, and I would live to weep, So thou might'st win one hour of quiet sleep. CHORUS. Breathe low, low, The spell of the mighty mistress now! 30 The words which, like secret fire, shall flow Through the veins of the frozen earth-low, low! SEMICHORUS I. Life may change, but it may fly not; SEMICHORUS II. Yet were life a charnel where Love were lust SEMICHORUS I. Lent not life its soul of light, 40 Hope its iris of delight, Truth its prophet's robe to wear, CHORUS. In the great morning of the world, And all its banded anarchs fled, Caught, like mountains beacon-lighted, Like an eagle on a promontory. Then night fell; and, as from night, From the West swift Freedom came, Against the course of Heaven and doom, A second sun arrayed in flame, To burn, to kindle, to illume. Hid, but quenched it not; again 50 60 70 As an eagle fed with morning In the mountain-cedar's hair, Of her wings through the wild air, Of truth they purge their dazzled eyes. Let the beautiful and the brave Share her glory, or a grave. SEMICHORUS I. With the gifts of gladness SEMICHORUS II. With the tears of sadness Greece did thy shroud bedew! SEMICHORUS I. With an orphan's affection She followed thy bier through Time; SEMICHORUS II. And at thy resurrection Re-appeareth, like thou, sublime! SEMICHORUS I. If Heaven should resume thee, To Heaven shall her spirit ascend; 80 90 100 |