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 ow happy ! 'cxelatm cl this child of ah: 
 ire the holy spirits who wander there, 
 mid flowers that never sliall fade or fall 
 though nunc arc 1.1 ic hardens o( earth and sea 
 
 mdlhe stars themselves have 
 
 lor 
 
 owere 
 
 one blossom of) caven out blooms them all 
 though sunny iheLake of cool Cashmere 
 with its plane-tree isle reflected clear, 
 md sweetly the founts ol thatV^illcy 6 
 though bright are the waters ofSii^u-hay, 
 aid the golden floodsllial thitherward stra\ 
 vct-oh.tis only theBlesl can say 
 low the waters of] raven outshine ihcinall 
 
 'Oil! 
 
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 th( 
 
 take 
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 winy thy flight from star 1 to star, 
 world to luminous world. as far 
 universe spreads its flaming wa 
 11 the pleasures of all the spheres. 
 1 multiply each through endlcssyears 
 minute 1 ofHeaven is worth them all \ 
 
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 who was k(TI)lll: 
 
 the gates ofLighl . hchcMcl her weeping 
 and. as he nearer drew and listcnd 
 to her sad song, a tear drop glistened 
 within his eyelids. like die spray 
 
 FromEdens fountain. when it lies 
 on the blue llower, which -Bramins say- 
 Blooms nowhere but in Paradise ! 
 'Nymph of a. fair, but erring linef " 
 gently he said -"One hope is ihinc. 
 'tis written in the book of Fate, 
 ThePeriyetinaybe forgiven 
 who brings to this eternal gate 
 
 The gift that is most dear to Heaven! 
 Go seek it, and redeem thy sin-.— 
 lis sweel (o lei thePardond m!" 
 
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 apidly as comets run 
 to llr embraces of the sun-.— 
 Ilectcr than the starry brands 
 flung at night from angel hands 
 at those dark and daring sprites, 
 who would climb tlf empyreal heights, 
 
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 own the blue vault il 
 andlighled earthward by 
 lhaLjust then broke from mornings (yes 
 hung hovering o'er our worlds expans( 
 
 . § ut whither shall the Spirit go 
 
 to find this gift for heaven ?- t 'Iknow 
 the wealth," she eries, "of every urn, 
 in which unnumberd rubies bum, 
 beneath the pillars of Chilminar; - 
 Iknow where the Isles ofPerfume are 
 many afathom down in the sea. 
 to the south of sun bright Araby — I 
 Iknow too where the Genii hid 
 the jeweird cup of their king Jamshid, 
 with life's elixir sparkling high - 
 but gills like these arc not for the sky. 
 Where was there ever a gem that shone 
 like the steps of Alias wonderful Throne 
 and the Drops ofLilc-oh! \\4ial would thevlx 
 in the boundless Deep of Eternity ?" 
 
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lilc thus she museAher pinions tuind 
 die air of that sweet nclian land, 
 whose air is balm-, whose ocean spreads 
 o'er coral rocks and amber beds-, 
 whoso mountains, pregnant by t he beam 
 of the warm sun. with diamonds teem; 
 whose rivulets are like rich brides, 
 lovely, with gold beneath their tides-, 
 whose sandal groves and bowers of spice 
 might be a en s aradise ! 
 lit crimson now her rivers ran 
 with human blood -the smell of death 
 came reeking from those spicy bowers, 
 and man, the sacrifice of man, 
 
 mingled his taint with every breath 
 apwafted from the innocent flowers ! 
 
 and of the sun! what foot invades 
 thy pagods and thy piliard shades - 
 thy cavern shrines. and idol stones, 
 thv monarchs and their thousand thrones? 
 
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Tis he of Gazna- fierce in wrath 
 He comes, and India's diadems 
 lie seatter'd in his ruinous path — 
 
 his bloodhounds he adorns with gems, 
 torn from the violated necks 
 of many a young and loved Sultana-,- 
 Maidens, within their pure enana, 
 Priests in the very fane he slaughters, 
 and chokes up with the glittering wrecks 
 of golden shrines die sacred waters ' 
 
 wownward thePeri turns her gaze, 
 and. through the war-field's bloody haze 
 beholds a youthful warrior stand , 
 
 alone.besidehis native river — 
 the red blade 1 broken in his hand 
 
 and the bust arrow in his quiver. 
 "Live " said the onquerorfhve to sin 
 the tro )hies and the crowns bear ! " 
 silent that youthful warrior stood - 
 silent he pointed to the flood 
 all crimson with his country's blood 
 
then sent his last remaining dart, 
 for answer, to tlr invader's heart . 
 False flew the shaft; though pointed well; 
 the tyrant lived, t he hero fen !— 
 yet mark d the Peri where he lay. 
 
 and when the rush of war was past, 
 swiftly descending on a ray 
 
 of morning light, she caught the last - 
 last glorious drop his heart had shed, 
 before its free-born spirit fled ! 
 
 this r she cried, as shewingdheidlighi 
 "my welcome gift at the Gates of L ight 
 thoughfoul are the drops drat oft distil 
 on the field of warfare, bloodlike this, 
 for liberty shed, so holy i s . 
 it would not stain the purest rill, 
 that sparkles anion;? the bowers of bliss ! 
 Oh! if there be, on this earthly sphere 
 
 a boon, an offering Heaven holds deamj 
 'tis the last libation Liberty draws 
 from thelicar t diatblceds & breaks in her cause 
 
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Sweet" said the Angel, as she gave 
 the gilt into his radiant hand, 
 Sweet is our welcome of the brave 
 who die thus lor their native land— 
 but see -alas !-the crystal bar 
 of Eden moves not-holier far 
 than een tins drop the boon must be, 
 that opes the Gates of Heaven for thee! 
 
 er first fond hope of Eden blighted, 
 . now amon^Afnc'sLunaj' Mountains, 
 far to the south, the Peri lighted ; 
 
 and sleek'd her plumage at the fountains 
 ofthatEgvptian tide, whose birth 
 is hidden horn the sons of earth, 
 deep in those solitary woods, 
 Itwhere oft the Genii of the floods 
 e round the cradle of their Nile, 
 and hail die new-born Giant's smile! 
 Thence, over Egypt's palmy groves , 
 her grots, and sepulchres of kings, 
 the exiled Spirit sighing roves ■ 
 
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 and now hangs listening to die doves 
 in warm Rosetla's vale-now loves 
 
 jo watch the moonlight on the wings 
 of the white pelicans thatbreak 
 the azure calm of Meeds* Lake, 
 twas a lair scene-a land more bright 
 never did mortal eye behold ! 
 who could have thought, that saw this night 
 
 those valleys and their fruits of gold 
 basking in heavens serenesi light ;- 
 those groups oflovely date-trees bending 
 languidly t heir leaf (Town xl heads, 
 like^uthuil maids, when sleep descending 
 warns them to their silken fxxls ;— 
 those virgin lilies, all the night 
 bathing their beauties in the lake, 
 that they may rise more fresh and bright, 
 when their beloved suns awake , 
 those mind shrines and towers thai seem 
 the relics of a splendid dream -. 
 
 amid whose (airy loneliness Jffij 
 nought but the lapwing's ery is heard. % 
 
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 nought seen but (when the shadows (lining 
 fast from the moonunsheathe its gleam) 
 some purple wingd sultana silling' 
 
 upon a column, motionless 
 and glittering, like an idol bird !- 
 who could have thoughtthatthemeen there, 
 amid those scenes so still and lair, 
 the Demon of the Plague hath east 
 from his hot wing a deadlier blast, 
 more mortal far than ever came 
 from the red desert s sands of flame! 
 so quick, that every living thing 
 of human shape, louclrd by his wing, 
 like plants, where the simoom hath past, 
 at once falls black and withering ! 
 
 m She sun went down on many a brow. 
 
 which, hill of bloom and freshness then 
 is rankling in the pest-house now. 
 
 and ne'er will feel that sun again! 
 and oh! to see th 1 tmburied heaps^ 
 on which the lonely moonlight sleeps 
 
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the very vultures turn away, 
 and sicken at so foul a prey ! 
 only the fiercer hyaena stalks 
 throughout the city's desolate walks 
 at midnight, and his carnage plies 
 
 woe to the half-dead wretch, who meets 
 the glaring of those large blue eyes 
 amid the darkness of the streets 
 
 fbov race of men! said the pitymgSpirit. 
 dearly ye pay fervour primal fall- 
 some flowerets of Eden ye still inhfrft 
 hut the trail of theSerpenl is over them all 1 
 She wept-the air grew pure and clear 
 around her, as the bright drops ran 
 (or there's a magic in each tear, 
 such kindly spirits weep lor man 
 
 ust then. beneath some orange-trees 
 whose fruit and blossoms in the breeze 
 were wantoning together, free, 
 like age at play with inlancy- 
 
beneath that fi*c\sh and springing bower, 
 close by the lake, she heard the moan 
 of one who, at this silent hou r, 
 had thither stolen to die alone, 
 be who in lite, whcrcer he moved, 
 drew after him the hearts of many; 
 yet now. as though he neer were loved, 
 
 dies here, unseen, unwept by any! 
 None to wateh near him-none to slate 
 
 the lire that in his bosom lies, 
 with e'en a sprinkle from that lake, 
 which shines so cool before his eyes, 
 o voice, well known through many a day. 
 to speak the last, the parting word, 
 which, when all other sounds decay, 
 is still like distant music heard. 
 That tender 4 farewell on the shore 
 of tins rude world, when all is rfer, 
 which cheers the spirit, ere its bark q 
 puts olfinto the unknown dark. 
 Deserted youth! one thought alone 
 shed joy around his soul indeath- 
 
ah! once, how tittle did he think 
 an hour would conic, when he should shrink 
 with horror from that dear embrace. 
 
 those gende arms, that were to him 
 holy as is the cradling place 
 
 oi Eden's infant cherubim! 
 And now he yields -now turns away, 
 shuddering as if die venom lay 
 all in those proffer cl lips alone 
 lose lips that, then so fearless grown, 
 never until thai instant came 
 neai' his unaslul or without shame. 
 "Oh! let me only breathe the air. 
 
 the blessed air,thats breathed by thee 
 and/whether on its wings it bear 
 
 healing or death, 'tis sweet to me! 
 There- drink my tears, while yet they fall. 
 
 would that my bosoms blood were balm 
 and, well thou knowst JH shed it alT 
 to give thy brow one minutes calm" 
 Nay turn not from me that dear (ace- 
 am not thine-thy own loved bride- 
 
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 one. me enosen one. vv 
 in lile or death is by thv side 
 thinksl thou thai she,wliose only light, 
 in this dim world. from thee hall) shone, 
 eould hear die long, the cheerless night, 
 thai must he hers, when thou art gone? 
 That lean live, and let thee go. 
 who art my life itself ?-No, no — 
 when the stem dies, the leaf that grew 
 out of its heart must perish loo! 
 then turn to me. my own love, turn, 
 before like thee 1 facie and burn : 
 eling to these yet eool lips, and share 
 the las! pure life that lingers there !" 
 She tiuls— she smks-as dies the lamp 
 in charnel airs or ea vein-damp, 
 so quickly do his baleful sighs 
 quench all the sweet light of her eyes ! j 
 ne struggle-and his pain is pasl-^ 
 hei' lover is no longer living ! ||| 
 ne kiss the maiden gives, one last 
 long kiss.wlueh she expires in giving! 
 
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pit she. whom tic for years had known 
 [and loved, and rnighl have call d his own J 
 was sale (row this loul midnights breath:] 
 [sale in her lathers princely halls, 
 where the cool airs Iroin fountain falls, 
 ttreshly perfumed by inajiy a brand 
 pl'lhe sweet wood from India's land, 
 |were pure as she whose brow they fannd. | 
 
 Put see.-who yonder comes by stealth.] 
 this melancholy bower to seek: 
 like a young envoy, sent by Health, 
 with rosy gilts upon her cheek? 
 
 s she-far off, through moonlight dim, 
 Ik 1 knew his own betrothed bride, 
 she. who would rather die with him. 
 
 than live to gain the w r orld beside !-J 
 Her arms are round her lover now. 
 
 his livid cheek to hers she presses, 
 and dips, to bind his burning brow, 
 in the cool lake her loosen d tresses 
 
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 "sleep" said thePeri, as softly she stole 
 lilt 1 larewell sigh o( thai vanishing soul, 
 as true as e'er war m d a woman's breast- 
 ' sleep on, in visions of odour rest, 
 in balmier airs than ever yd stirr'd 
 ill' enchanted pile of thai holy bird, 
 who sing's at the la si his own death lay, 
 and in music and perfume dies away!" 
 
 jyhus saving' , from her lips she spread 
 unearthly breathings through the place, 
 and shook her sparkling wreath and shed 
 
 such lustre o'er each paly (ace, 
 ihat like two lovely saints they seenfd 
 
 upon the eve of doomsday taken 
 from their dim graves, in odour sleeping;-]! 
 
 while that benevolentPeri beanfd 
 like their good angel, calmly keeping 
 watch oer thcmtill their souls would waken 
 
 Will morn is blushing in the sky; ( 
 fagain thePeri soars above. ^J&Wtk 
 
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 EMi throbb'd 1km- heart, with hopeelale. 
 
 the elysian palm she soon shall win . 
 for the Bright Spirit at the gate 
 
 smiled as she gave that offering in ; 
 and she already hears the trees 
 of eden, with their crystal bells 
 ringing in that ambrosial breeze 
 
 that from thcThroiie ol'Alla swells ; 
 and she can see the starry bowls 
 
 that lie around its lucid lake, 
 upon whose banks admitted souls 
 i their first sweet draught of glory take ! 
 
 JS>ut ah ! evcnRris' hopes are vain - 
 again the Fates forbade, again 
 the immortal barrier closed- not yet'." 
 ihejjjiel said as, with regret, 
 he shut From her that glimpse ofglor>V 
 "true was the maiden, and her story. 4 
 written in light o'er Alias head, fj§3 
 
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jv seraph eyes shall Long, be read. 
 But, Peri see -the crystal bar 
 ofeden moves not -holier* far 
 than even this si£h the boon must be 
 lat opes the Gates of Heaven for theer 
 
 ow. upon Syria s land of roses 
 softly the light of eve reposes, 
 an A like a glory, the broad sun 
 hang's over sainted Lebanon: 
 hose head in wintry grandeur towers 
 and whitens with eternal sleet, 
 while summer in a vale of flowers, 
 Is sleeping rosy at his feet. 
 
 o One. who Look'd From upper air 
 pi* all tlr enchanted regions there, 
 how beauteous must have been the glow. 
 
 life, the sparkling from below ! 
 kir gardens, shining streanis,with ranks 
 of golden melons on their banks, t ^*^34 
 more golden where the sunlight lalls;-^ 
 
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among the rosy wild flowers singing, 
 pis rosy and as wild as they: 
 •hasing, with eager hands and eyes, 
 the beautiful blue damseMlies. 
 that fhitter'd rpjufld the jasmine stems, 
 like wingc'd flowers orllyine gems-.— 
 and, near the boy, who, tired with play. 
 now r nestling 'mid the roses lay. 
 she saw a weaned man dismount 
 
 from his hot steed, and on the brink 
 ofasmaJl imarets rustic fount 
 
 impatient fling him down to drink. 
 Then swift his haggard brow he turnd 
 
 to the fair child who fearless sat. 
 though never yet hath daybeam burnd 
 upon a brow more fierce than that - 
 sullenly fierce - a mixture dire, 
 like thunder-clouds, of gloom and fire!* 
 In which the Peris eye could read 
 dark tales of many a ruthless deed ; 
 the mind maid-the shrine profaned- 
 oaths broken-aiid the threshold stain'd 
 
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 with blood of guests !— iherc wriUm^all. 
 black as the damning drops thai \\ 1 
 from the denouncing AjigeVs pen, 
 ere Mercy weeps tlieni oul again! 
 
 et tranquil now thai mail of crime 
 (as if the balmy evening time 
 soften'd his spirit) look'd and lay, 
 watching the rosy infant's plav:— 
 though still, whene'er his eye by chance 
 Fell on the boys, its lurid glance 
 
 met that unclouded. joyous gaze, 
 as torches, that have burnt all night 
 through some impure and godless rite, 
 encounter morning's glorious rays. 
 
 it hark ! the vesper call to prayer, 
 as slow the orb of daylight sets, 
 is rising sweetly on the air, 
 
 from Syria's thousand minarets! 
 The boy has started from the bed 
 of flowers, where he had laid his head, ° 
 
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and down upon liie fragrant sod 
 
 kneels. willi his forehead to the south, 
 lisping ih* denial name of God 
 
 from purity's own cherub mouth, 
 and looking while his hands and eyes 
 tire lifted to the flowing skies, 
 like a stray babe olTaradise. 
 just lighted on that flowery plain, 
 and seeking lor its home again! 
 Oh. 'twas a sight-that heaven-that child- 
 a scene, which might have well beguiled 
 e'en haughty Ehlis ofa sigh 
 lor glories lost and peace gone by ! 
 
 hd how felt he. the wretched Man 
 reclining there -while memory ran 
 ocr many a year of guilt and strife, 
 (lew o'er the dark flood of his life. «rg 
 nor (bund 0m 4 sunny resting-place, "4*4 
 nor brought him back one branch ofgrace? 
 "There* was a time".' he said, in mild, 
 hrarl-himibled tones-thou blessed child! 
 
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when. voung and liaply pure as thou. 
 Hookcl and prayd like thee-but now— 
 he hung his head-each nobler aim 
 t andhope and feeling,which had slept 
 from boyhoods hour, tnatinstant came 
 fresh o'er him. and he wepl-he wept ! 
 
 «^lest tears of soul-felt penitence! 
 1 j) whose benign redeeming flow 
 [slelt the first, the only sense 
 
 of guiltless joy that guilt can know. 
 \ here's a droprsaidtheBrithai downfromthemoM] 
 (alls through the withering airs ofjune 
 uponEgypts land, of so healing a power, 
 so balmy a virtue, that e'en in the hour 
 that drop descends, contagion dies 
 uid health reanimates earth and skies! 
 hhs it not thus, thou man of sin, 
 the precious tears of repentance fell? 
 though foul thy fiery plagues within, 
 one heavenlv drop hath dispelld them all! 
 Jid now-behold him kneeling there 4( 
 
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 y the child's side. in humbk prayer. 
 Methe same sunbeam shines upon 
 be guilty and the guiltless one. 
 nd hymns ofjoy proclaim through heaven 
 ic uitimph (a a soul forgiven ! 
 was when the golden orb had set . 
 while on their knees they litfgerd yel . 
 [there fell a hght.niore lovely far 
 than (Ter came from sun or star, 
 hroonthe tear thai. warm and meek, 
 (lew d dial repentant sinner's cheek -, 
 to mortal eye this light might seem 
 a nort hern Hash or meteor beam — 
 |biit well th ' enraptured Peri knew 
 'twas a bright smile the Ansel threw 
 [from heaven s gate, to hail that tear 
 
 |her harbinger of glory near! 
 
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 fjpy. joy for ever ! my (ask is done - 
 (he gates are pass'd.and heaven is won! 
 |Oh ! ami not nappy ? 1 am, 1 am — ^& 
 to thee, sweetEdeii ! how dark mid sad I 
 
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 are the diamond turrets of Shadukiam. [( 
 ! and the fragrant bowers of Amberabad! 
 Tarewell.ye odours of earth, that die, 
 Dassin£ away like a lovers sigh ! — 
 Myfeast is now of the toobatree, 
 whose scent is the breath of eternity ! 
 
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 arewell.ye vanishing llowers.that show 
 hi my faiiy \fceath, so bright and brief- 
 jf oh! what are the brightest dial e'er have blow 
 [to the lote-tree, springing by Ik s [hrone, 
 whose lowers have a sou I in every leaf 
 Joy.joy lor ever ! - my task is done — 
 the gales are pass'd, and Heaven is won!" 
 
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