XLIII.

But all is stillness now. May this be sleep

Which wraps those Eastern thousands? Yes! perchance

Along yon moonlit shore and dark-blue deep,

Bright are their visions with the Houri’s glance,

And they behold the sparkling fountains dance

Beneath the bowers of paradise that shed

Rich odours o’er the faithful; but the lance,

The bow, the spear, now round the slumberers spread,

Ere Fate fulfil such dreams, must rest beside the dead.