VII.

They reached at length a grotto, hewn By nature, but enlarged by art, Where oft her lute she wont to tune, And oft her Koran conned apart; And oft in youthful reverie She dreamed what Paradise might be: Where Woman's parted soul shall go Her Prophet had disdained to show;[gf][161] But Selim's mansion was secure, 590 Nor deemed she, could he long endure His bower in other worlds of bliss Without _her_, most beloved in this! Oh! who so dear with him could dwell? What Houri soothe him half so well?