On the white flag MOKANNA's host unfurl'd,
Those words of sunshine, "Freedom to the World,”
At once his faith, his sword, his soul obey'd
Th' inspiring summons; every chosen blade,
That fought beneath that banner's sacred text,
Seem'd doubly edg'd, for' this world and the next;
And ne'er did Faith with her smooth bandage bind
Eyes more devoutly willing to be blind,

In virtue's cause;

never was soul inspir'd

With livelier trust in what it most desir'd,

Than his, th' enthusiast there, who kneeling, pale
With pious awe, before that Silver Veil,

Believes the form, to which he bends his knee,
Some pure, redeeming angel, sent to free
This fetter'd world from every bond and stain,
And bring its primal glories back again!

Low as young Azım knelt, that motly crowd
Of all earth's nations sunk the knee and bow'd,
With shouts of "ALLA!" echoing long and loud;
While high in air, above the Prophet's head,
Hundreds of banners, to the sunbeam spread,

}

Wav'd, like the wings of the white birds that fan

The flying throne of star-taught SOLIMAN!

Then thus he spoke :-" Stranger, though new the frame "Thy soul inhabits now, I've track'd its flame

"For many an age3, in every chance and change "Of that Existence, through whose varied range,— "As through a torch-race, where, from hand to hand "The flying youths transmit their shining brand, "From frame to frame the unextinguish'd soul "Rapidly passes, till it reach the goal!

"Nor think 'tis only the gross Spirits, warm'd "With duskier fire and for earth's medium form'd, "That run this course; - Beings, the most divine, "Thus deign through dark mortality to shine.

"Such was the Essence that in ADAM dwelt,

"To which all Heav'n, except the Proud One, knelt :' "Such the refin'd Intelligence that glow'd "In MOUSSA's frame; and, thence descending, flow'd

8 The transmigration of souls was one of his doctrines: ---V. D'Herbelot..

9 "And when we said unto the angels, Worship Adam, they all worshipped him except Eblis, (Lucifer,) who refused."-The Koran, chap. ii.

I

"Through many a Prophet's breast ; — in Issa 1 shone, "And in MOHAMMED burn'd; till, hastening on, "(As a bright river that, from fall to fall

"In many a maze descending, bright through all, "Finds some fair region where, each labyrinth past, “In one full lake of light it rests at last!) "That Holy Spirit, settling calm and free "From lapse or shadow, centers all in me!"

Again, throughout th' assembly at these words, Thousands of voices rung; the warriors' swords Were pointed up to heav'n; a sudden wind In the' open banners play'd, and from behind Those Persian hangings, that but ill could screen The Haram's loveliness, white hands were seen Waving embroider'd scarves, whose motion gave A perfume forth; - like those the Houris wave When beckoning to their bowers th' Immortal Brave.

"But these," pursued the Chief, "are truths sublime, "That claim a holier mood and calmer time "Than earth allows us now; this sword must first "The darkling prison-house of Mankind burst,

I Jesus.
C

"Ere Peace can visit them, or Truth let in "Her wakening day-light on a world of sin! "But then, celestial warriors, then, when all "Earth's shrines and thrones before our banner fall; "When the glad Slave shall at these feet lay down "His broken chain, the tyrant Lord his crown, "The Priest his book, the Conqueror his wreath, "And from the lips of Truth one mighty breath "Shall, like a whirlwind, scatter in its breeze "That whole dark pile of human mockeries; "Then shall the reign of Mind commence on earth, "And starting fresh, as from a second birth, "Man, in the sunshine of the world's new spring, "Shall walk transparent, like some holy thing! "Then, too, your Prophet from his angel brow "Shall cast the Veil, that hides its splendours now, "And gladden'd Earth shall, through her wide expanse, "Bask in the glories of this countenance !

"For thee, young warrior, welcome! - thou hast yet "Some tasks to learn, some frailties to forget, "Ere the white war-plume o'er thy brow can wave; — "But, once my own, mine all till in the grave !"

Of that deep voice, which thrill'd like ALLA's own!
The Young all dazzled by the plumes and lances,
The glittering throne, and Haram's half-caught glances;
The Old deep pondering on the promis'd reign
Of peace and truth; and all the female train
Ready to risk their eyes, could they but gaze
A moment on that brow's miraculous blaze!

But there was one, among the chosen maids
Who blush'd behind the gallery's silken shades,
One, to whose soul the pageant of to-day
Has been like death; - you saw her pale dismay,
Ye wondering sisterhood, and heard the burst
Of exclamation from her lips, when first

She saw that youth, too well, too dearly known,
Silently kneeling at the Prophet's throne.

Ah ZELICA! there was a time, when bliss Shone o'er thy heart from every look of his; When but to see him, hear him, breathe the air In which he dwelt, was thy soul's fondest prayer!