Page:Lippincotts Monthly Magazine-20.djvu/760
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756
SELIM.
[Dec.
A trouble which hung on the aspect of Selim Fell dark on his king,As clouds 'twixt the sun and the sand-billowed ocean Their dusky shapes fling.
"O friend of my heart!" quoth the caliph, "what sorrow Lies deep in thy breast?"And Selim, replying, the source of his anguish Thus humbly confessed:
"Great lord of my being! life trembles and quivers With fulness of joy:The rays of my hopes are as gold in my pathway, Undimmed by alloy;
"Thy banners float far on the breezes of India, Thy counsels are wise;The thoughts of thy valor and strength to thy people As light to their eves;
"Yet still, in the midst of thy glory and power, Thou deignest to restThy soul on the soul of thy servant, whom daily Thy favors have blest,
"Till he who once couched on his sheepskin reposes On cushions of down,And holds a fair wife in his arms who had only A steed for his own.
"Thus over the heaven thy grace has illumined No shadow appears,Save one, at whose coming thy servant unworthy Shrinks, falters and fears—
"The shadow of Azraël, angel of terror, Surpassingly strong,The roar of whose onrushing wings soundeth louder Than laughter or song;
"Till I, even I, from the conflict of battle, The scimitar's sweep,Turn cowering, fearful of glory's last service And manhood’s best sleep.
"Behold! now the heart of thy servant is open, And bare to thy view."Then slowly the caliph replied, while his gaze sought The firmament blue:
"Dread Prophet of Allah! thou knowest my spirit, My heart and my life;Thou knowest the desolate years of my manhood, Their unended strife;