XI.

"What! not receive my foolish flower? Nay then I am indeed unblest: On me can thus thy forehead lower? And know'st thou not who loves thee best?[fr] Oh, Selim dear! oh, more than dearest! Say, is it me thou hat'st or fearest? 300 Come, lay thy head upon my breast, And I will kiss thee into rest, Since words of mine, and songs must fail, Ev'n from my fabled nightingale. I knew our sire at times was stern, But this from thee had yet to learn: Too well I know he loves thee not; But is Zuleika's love forgot? Ah! deem I right? the Pacha's plan-- This kinsman Bey of Carasman 310 Perhaps may prove some foe of thine. If so, I swear by Mecca's shrine,--[fs] If shrines that ne'er approach allow To woman's step admit her vow,-- Without thy free consent--command-- The Sultan should not have my hand! Think'st thou that I could bear to part With thee, and learn to halve my heart? Ah! were I severed from thy side, Where were thy friend--and who my guide? 320 Years have not seen, Time shall not see, The hour that tears my soul from thee:[ft] Ev'n Azrael,[147] from his deadly quiver When flies that shaft, and fly it must,[fu] That parts all else, shall doom for ever Our hearts to undivided dust!"