Skip to content

Stephen Crane

I stood upon a high place,

And saw, below, many devils

Running, leaping,

And carousing in sin.

Read full poem →

adjective

Engaged in or ready for action; characterized by energetic work, thought, or speech.

The students were very active in class discussions, asking many thoughtful questions.

Know more →

MUSTAPHA.

31 lines
Samuel Johnson·1709–1784
AHOMET.Suspend his sentence--Empire and IreneClaim my divided soul. This wretch, unworthyTo mix with nobler cares, I'll throw asideFor idle hours, and crush him at my leisure. MUSTAPHA.Let not th' unbounded greatness of his mindBetray my king to negligence of danger.Perhaps, the clouds of dark conspiracyNow roll, full fraught with thunder, o'er your head.Twice, since the morning rose, I saw the bassa,Like a fell adder swelling in a brake,Beneath the covert of this verdant arch,In private conference; beside him stoodTwo men unknown, the partners of his bosom;I mark'd them well, and trac'd in either faceThe gloomy resolution, horrid greatness,And stern composure, of despairing heroes;And, to confirm my thoughts, at sight of me,As blasted by my presence, they withdrew,With all the speed of terrour and of guilt. MAHOMET.The strong emotions of my troubled soulAllow no pause for art or for contrivance;And dark perplexity distracts my counsels.Do thou resolve: for, see, Irene comes!At her approach each ruder gust of thoughtSinks, like the sighing of a tempest spent,And gales of softer passion fan my bosom.[Cali _enters with_ Irene, _and exit [Transcriber's note: sic] with_Mustapha.