By Tigris' wandering waves he sat, and sung "Ye Persian dames," he said, " to you belong, Self-flattering sex! your hearts believe in vain That Love shall blind, when once he fires the swain; Who seeks secure to rule, be first her care 17 30 40 "Blest were the days, when Wisdom held her reign, And shepherds sought her on the silent plain ! With Truth she wedded in the secret grove, Immortal Truth, and daughters bless'd their love. 66 O haste, fair maids! ye Virtues come away, Sweet Peace and Plenty lead you on your way! The balmy shrub for you shall love our shore, By Ind excell'd, or Araby, no more. Bassora:' Gulf of, famous for pearls. 50 "Lost to our fields, for so the Fates ordain, The dear deserters shall return again. Come thou, whose thoughts as limpid springs are clear, To lead the train, sweet Modesty appear: Here make thy court amidst our rural scene, And shepherd-girls shall own thee for their queen : Distrusting all, a wise suspicious maid, But man the most-not more the mountain doe 51 60 Cold is her breast, like flowers that drink the dew; A silken veil conceals her from the view. No wild desires amidst thy train be known, And Love the last by these your hearts approve ; Thus sung the swain; and ancient legends say, Dear to the plains, the Virtues came along, 70 ECLOGUE II. HASSAN; OR, THE CAMEL-DRIVER. Scene-THE DESERT. Time-MID-DAY. IN silent horror o'er the boundless waste A fan of painted feathers in his hand, To guard his shaded face from scorching sand. 5 10 20 20 Sad was the hour, and luckless was the day, When first from Schiraz' walls I bent my way! 30 "Curst be the gold and silver which persuade Weak men to follow far-fatiguing trade! The lily peace outshines the silver store, And life is dearer than the golden ore: Yet money tempts us o'er the desert brown, To every distant mart and wealthy town. Full oft we tempt the land, and oft the sea; And are we only yet repaid by thee? Ah! why was ruin so attractive made, 89 50 Sad was the hour, and luckless was the day, When first from Schiraz' walls I bent my way! "O cease, my fears!-all frantic as I go, When thought creates unnumber'd scenes of woe; What if the lion in his rage I meet!Oft in the dust I view his printed feet: And, fearful! oft, when Day's declining light Yields her pale empire to the mourner Night, By hunger roused, he scours the groaning plain, Gaunt wolves and sullen tigers in his train : Before them Death with shrieks directs their way, Fills the wild yell, and leads them to their prey. Sad was the hour, and luckless was the day, When first from Schiraz' walls I bent my way! 60 "At that dread hour the silent shall creep, If aught of rest I find, upon my sleep : Or some swollen serpent twist his scales around, And wake to anguish with a burning wound. Thrice happy they, the wise contented poor, From lust of wealth and dread of death secure ! They tempt no deserts, and no griefs they find; Peace rules the day, where reason rules the mind. asp Sad was the hour, and luckless was the day, When first from Schiraz' walls I bent my way! 70 "O hapless youth! for she thy love hath won, The tender Zara will be most undone ! Big swell'd my heart, and own'd the powerful maid, 73 Say with a kiss, she must not, shall not mourn! He said, and call'd on Heaven to bless the day, 80 ECLOGUE III. ABRA; OR, THE GEORGIAN SULTANA. Scene-A FOREST. Time-THE EVENING. IN Georgia's land, where Tefflis' towers are seen, Of Abra first began the tender strain, |