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’Tis true, they are a lawless brood,But rough ir furm, vor mild in mood; THE BRIDE OF ABYDOS, And every creed, and every race,With them hath found—may find a placesBut open speech, and ready hand,Obedience to their chief's command ;A soul for every enterprise,That never sees with terror’s eyes ;Friendship for each, and faith to all,And yengeance vow’d for those who fall,Have made them fitting instrumentsFor more than ev’n my own intents.And some—and I have studied allDistinguish’d from the vulgar rank,But chiefly to my council callThe wisdom of the cautious Frank—And some to higher thoughts aspire,The last of Lambro’s*? patriots thereAnticipated freedom share ;And oft around the cavern fireOn visionary schemes debateTo snatch the Rayahs*4 from their fate.So let them ease their hearts with prateOf equal rights, which man ne’er knew ;I have a love for freedom too.Ay! let me like the ocean-Patriarch®® roamOr only know on land the Tartar’s home !%My tent on shore, my galley on the sea,Are more than cities and Serais to me:Borge by my steed, or wafted by my sail,Across the desert, or before the gale,Bound where thou wilt, my barb! or glide, my prow,But be the star that guides the wanderer, Thou!Thou, my Zuleika, share and bless my bark;The Dove of peace and promise to mine ark!Or, since that hope denied in worlds of strife,Be thou the rainbow to the storms of life !The evening beam that smiles the clouds away,And tints to-morrow with prophetic ray!Blest—as the Muezzin’s strain from Mecca’s wallTo pilgrims pure and prostrate at his cail ;Soft—as the melody of youthful days,That steals the trembling tear of speechless praise ;Dear as his native song to exile’s ears,Shall sound each tone thy long-loved voice endears.For thee in those bright isles is built a bowerBlooming as Aden*’ in its earliest hour.A thousand swords, with Selim’s heart and hand,Wait—wave—defend—destroy—at thy command !Girt by my band, Zuleika at my side,The spoil of nations shall ey my" bride.
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