Ballads, Founded on Anecdotes Relating to Animals Part 13

As conscious of peril the provident bird Takes refuge unseen in a cleft of the well; Deposits his prize, and perceiving he's heard, Flies back in the shelter of silence to dwell.

There repose, thou best va.s.sal to beauty endear'd!

While my song to thy mistress most anxiously turns, To recount in thy absence what perils she fear'd; Now she freezes in dread, now her terror she spurns.

By her own n.o.ble soul she resolves to subdue The worst of all fears, that her fancy had crost; The life of Hermossan in danger she knew, Supposing she told how his ruby was lost.

She knew with Ayesha's fierce son he would fight, Were the story reveal'd of the ring and the glove, And she firmly exclaim'd, with heroic delight, "No, his life I will save, if I forfeit his love."

But O while new dangers Anglama detain, How eager she pants for a sight of his plume; At each sound she believes him returning again, But he's destined to lurk in the cavern's deep gloom.

The morning elapses, and noon now is near, But time can't out-travel the lover's quick pace; See Hermossan most true to his promise appear!

With transport he flies to his fair one's embrace.

But O how his heart at her aspect recoils When he sees how the rose has decay'd on her cheek!

"O G.o.d! is it thus I'm repaid for my toils,"

Was all, that affection had accents to speak.

Fond Azima trembling, yet brave in her heart, Now exclaims, "swear to grant me one eager desire, You must, or I die--nay my love! do not start, But swear by the sun's incorruptible fire!"

"Our ruby is gone, and my life too must go, Unless to relieve me you instantly swear; Not to meditate vengeance, whatever you know, On the persons who thus have occasion'd my care"

Hermossan confused, with quick pity replied, (Though Jealousy gave him her tremulous tones) "Yes, I swear, if you say, but to soothe my fond pride, That no rival of mine my lost talisman owns."

The maiden, whose soul was the spirit of truth, Scarcely knew how herself to absolve or condemn; Since she really surmiz'd a proud amorous youth Had obtain'd by his mother the magical gem.

The conflict distended her innocent breast, Half lifeless she sinks on Hermossan's strong arm; To his heart he in wonder her innocence prest, Not free, jealous honor! from thy rash alarm.

In a soft rising-breeze, yet she hardly has stirr'd, But her faint eyes unclose to admit the fresh air, And they now flash with joy in perceiving her bird; Who drops on her bosom, with "Never Despair."

Thrice blessed Anglama! what language can speak The joy not confined to thy patrons alone, While thy queen thus receives from thy dutiful beak The lesson engrav'd on the magical stone?

All terror, all sickness, all doubt, all distrust, Fly away from thy friends in this rapturous hour, And thee they esteem, to thy services just, A Phenix inshrin'd in Felicity's bower.

Fair reader! if wis.h.i.+ng to fix on thy breast The magic most sure every grace to endear, As a gem on thy bosom let innocence rest, Embellis.h.i.+ng beauty, and banis.h.i.+ng fear!

THE HORSE.

BALLAD THE SIXTEENTH.

Virtue! thou hast spells divine, Spells, that savage force controul!

What's the strongest charm of thine?

Courage in a mother's soul.

Haste my song, the scene proclaim, That may prove the maxim true!

Fair ones of maternal fame, Hark! for honour speaks to you.

n.o.blest of your n.o.ble band, Brave Marcella chanc'd to rove, Leading childhood in her hand, Thro' a deep and lonely grove:

See her child! how gay! how light!

Twice two years her life has run, Like a young Aurora bright, Sporting near the rising sun.

Thro' a pa.s.s of sandy stone, Where autumnal foliage glow'd, While the quivering sun-beams shone, Lay their deep, and narrow road:

Now, as thro' the dale they pac'd, Pleas'd with its umbrageous charm, Lo! a fiery steed, in haste, Prancing, spreads a quick alarm,

Fiercest of Arabia's race, Force and beauty form'd his pride; Vainly tutor'd for the chace, Care he scorn'd, and rule defied.

Soon his rider had been flung, Tho' like Perseus, he adroit, Oft to flying coursers clung, Proud of every bold exploit!

Now, on foot, he tried in vain, Or to soften, or subdue This wild steed, whose leading rein, Short and tight he firmly drew:

But the more the horseman strove To restrain his fiery force, More he made the solemn grove Echo to his frantic course.

Snorting loud, with savage leer, All controuling powers to foil, See him plunge! and see him rear!

Mocking all his leader's toil!

Fearless for himself alone, He, of courage bravely mild, Manly fear was frank to own For the mother, and her child:

For the beast, in barb'rous ire, To the child and mother rush'd; Both he deem'd must now expire, By the vicious monster crush'd:

For his rage, with forceful art, Still he fail'd to turn, or tame: Fear and pity fill'd his heart, And convuls'd his manly frame,

"Fly!" he cried, in accents weak, As the rampant courser sped; "Fly!" was all, that he could speak, Toss'd beneath the monster's head.

But without her child to fly, Brave Marcella now disdained: As her darling's guard to die, This her only hope remained.

On the bank, where pine-trees mixt, Thick to form an arching wood, At her back her child she fixt, And before it bravely stood:

Firm in voice, in soul elate, Then in solemn tone she cried, "With her features fixt as fate-- Tell your father how I died."

n.o.ble parent! nature saw, Virtue s.h.i.+ning in thy soul, And with sudden, wond'rous awe Struck the beast, that spurn'd controul;

For, as if thy fixed eyes Darted fascinating flame, He, to thy devout surprise, Stood before thee fondly tame:

He, as touched by powers above, That can demons dispossess, View'd thee, with submissive love, Like a spaniel's meek caress.

Free from all maternal dread, Now 'twas thine to raise and chear Him, from whom the courser fled, Trembling yet with generous fear!

Fear soon turned to strong delight, When he saw the savage tam'd; And enchanted by the sight, Quick the horseman thus exclaim'd: