XVIII.

"What could I be? Proscribed at home, And taunted to a wish to roam; And listless left--for Giaffir's fear Denied the courser and the spear-- Though oft--Oh, Mahomet! how oft!-- In full Divan the despot scoffed, As if _my_ weak unwilling hand Refused the bridle or the brand: 810 He ever went to war alone, And pent me here untried--unknown; To Haroun's care with women left,[go] By hope unblest, of fame bereft, While thou--whose softness long endeared, Though it unmanned me, still had cheered-- To Brusa's walls for safety sent, Awaited'st there the field's event. Haroun who saw my spirit pining[gp] Beneath inaction's sluggish yoke, 820 His captive, though with dread resigning, My thraldom for a season broke, On promise to return before The day when Giaffir's charge was o'er. 'Tis vain--my tongue can not impart[gq] My almost drunkenness of heart,[169] When first this liberated eye Surveyed Earth--Ocean--Sun--and Sky-- As if my Spirit pierced them through, And all their inmost wonders knew! 830 One word alone can paint to thee That more than feeling--I was Free! E'en for thy presence ceased to pine; The World--nay, Heaven itself was mine!