552 THE MOSLEM. 



But still we sped o'er realms of snow, 



Heaven, blue above, Eaith, white below ! 



Anon dark clouds the sky bestride, 



And torrents rush on every side. 



One roving deluge sweeps the land, 



And deadening thunders roll command ! 



One moment on the watery waste 



My helpless steed was whirled in haste ; 



And instant eddies sucked us low ! 



My drowning soul would prayers bestow. 



But heads of demons to the chin 



Rose o'er the dreary waves to grin ; 



And as the gulph yawned with its own, 



Shrieked to the winds and sense was gone ! 



I stood upon a sunny shore 

 The ample sea was glittering o'er. 

 The wave upon its bosom slept, 

 The stealthy breezes silent swept, 

 And beautifully over all, 

 An azure sky spread out its pall. 

 Supreme upon the bright expanse 

 Spirits in coral barks advance. 

 Fair maids they seem, and thinly clad 

 In gauzes, from the rainbow had, 

 That half each sacred charm conceal, 

 And half to ecstacy reveal. 

 Their angel lips chimed forth a strain 

 Of love and joy, and love again, 



So moving sweet, that nature thrilled % 



Through every vein, to transport rilled. 

 A noble bull, whose golden horns 

 With roses harnessed, youth adorns ; 

 Roars as he plunges through the tide, 

 And tows each fairy freight with pride. 

 Never upon the ravished sight 

 Did forms so fair, or scene so bright. 

 Expand the passions to delight. 

 Methought great Allah, from on high, 

 Had given a magic warranty, 

 That Houris from Heaven's sweetest bower 

 The loaded realms of earth should scour, 

 One longing son of earth approve, 

 And waft him to the realms above. 



The song grew loud ; each form shone clear ; 

 Praise Allah ! praise! for me they steer. 

 Each maid bends amorous on her bark 

 How bright the glance from that eye dark ; 

 They beckon now, and all my soul 

 Yearns captive to the soft control. 

 My limbs are sprinkled by the spray 

 That leaps before their radiant way. 

 Mine are these maids, and mine the sky, 

 And Allah's proud eternity ! 



I seized the foremost by the hand, 

 And shivering fell upon the sand. 

 That moment vanished all the scene, 

 And utter darkness came between, 



