SAIF ADDAULET, SULTAN OF ALEPPO, TO HIS FAVORITE MISTRESS. I SAW their jealous eye-balls roll, I saw them mark each glance of mine; Shared every pang that tortured thine. In vain, to wean my constant heart, Or quench my glowing flame, they strove; Each deep-laid scheme, each envious art, But waked my fears for her I love. The occasion upon which Saif Addaulet composed this little poem is thus related by Elmacin: -The sultan having conceived a passion for a princess of the blood-royal, gave such public marks of the preference he entertained for her, that the ladies of his harem took alarm, and resolved to rid themselves of the object of their jealousy by means of poison. Saif Addaulet, obtaining intelligence of their design, sent the princess to a castle at some distance from Aleppo; and whilst she remained in this solitude, he addressed these verses to her. 'Twas this compell'd the stern decree, That forced thee to those distant towers, To cheer my solitary hours. Yet let not Abla sink deprest, THE ADVICE OF THE BIRD. A BEAUTEOUS bird, in our rude climes unknown, That on a leafy arbor sits alone, Strains his sweet throat, and waves his purple wings, And thus in human accents softly sings: "Rise, lovely pair, a sweeter bower invites "Your eager steps, a bower of new delights; "Ah, crop the flowers of pleasure while they blow, "Ere winter hides them in a veil of snow. "Youth, like a thin anemone, displays "His silken leaf, and in a morn decays. "See, gentle youth, a lily-bosom❜d bride! "See, nymph, a blooming stripling by thy side! "Then haste, and bathe your souls in soft delights, "A sweeter bower your wandering steps invites." He ceased; the slender branch from which he flew Bent its fair head, and sprinkled pearly dew. The damsel smiled, the blushing youth was pleased, And by her willing hand his charmer seized: Then with a smile (he knew no higher bliss) From her sweet lip he stole a balmy kiss: On a smooth bank of violets they reclined; And whilst a chaplet for his brow she twined, With his soft cheek her softer cheek he press'd, His pliant arms were folded round her breast. They sport and wanton till with sleep oppress'd, Like two fresh rose-buds on one stalk they rest! TH THE SONG OF MAISUNA.* HE russet suit of camel's hair, Than all the trappings of a queen. The humble tent and murmuring breeze Better than towers and splendid halls. * Maisuna was a daughter of the tribe of Calab, and was married whilst very young to the Khaliph Mowiah. But this exalted situation by no means suited the disposition of Maisuna; and, amidst all the pomp and splendor of Damascus, she languished for the simple pleasures of her native desert. These feelings gave birth to the following simple stanzas, which she took delight in singing, whenever she could find an opportunity to indulge her melancholy in private. She was overheard one day by Mowiah, who, as a punishment, ordered her to retire from court. Maisuna immediately obeyed, and taking her infant son, Yezid, with her, returned to Yeman. The attendant colts that bounding fly Are dearer in Maisuna's eye Than gorgeous mules in all their pride. The watch-dog's voice that bays, whene'er A stranger seeks his master's cot, Sounds sweeter in Maisuna's ear Than yonder trumpet's long-drawn note. The rustic youth unspoil'd by art, Be dearer, pamper'd fool, than thee. |