Know you these secrets?
LOBABA.
I? alas my Son
My age just knows enough to understand
How little all its knowledge! later years
Sacred to study, teach me to regret
Youth’s unforeseeing indolence, and hours
That cannot be recalled! something I know:
The properties of herbs, and have sometimes
Brought to the afflicted comfort and relief
By the secrets of my art; under His blessing
Without whom all had failed! Also of Gems
I have some knowledge, and the characters
That tell beneath what aspect they were set.
THALABA.
Belike you can interpret then the graving
Around this Ring?
LOBABA.
My sight is feeble, Son,
And I must view it closer, let me try!
The unsuspecting Youth
Held forth his linger to draw off the spell.
Even whilst he held it forth,
There settled there a Wasp,
And just above the Gem infixed its dart.
All purple swoln the hot and painful flesh
Rose round the tightened Ring.
The baffled Sorcerer knew the hand of Heaven,
And inwardly blasphemed.
Ere long Lobaba’s heart,
Fruitful in wiles, devised new stratagem.
A mist arose at noon;
Like the loose hanging skirts
Of some low cloud that, by the breeze impelled,
Sweeps o’er the mountain side.
With joy the thoughtless youth
That grateful shadowing hailed;
For grateful was the shade,
While thro’ the silver-lighted haze
Guiding their way, appeared the beamless Sun.
But soon that beacon failed;
A heavier mass of cloud
Impenetrably deep,
Hung o’er the wilderness.
“Knowest thou the track?” quoth Thalaba,
“Or should we pause, and wait the wind
“To scatter this bewildering fog?”
The Sorcerer answered him
“Now let us hold right on,... for if we stray
“The Sun tomorrow will direct our course.”
So saying, he towards the desert depths
Misleads the youth deceived.
Earlier the night came on,
Nor moon, nor stars, were visible in Heaven;
And when at morn the youth unclosed his eyes
He knew not where to turn his face in prayer.
“What shall we do?” Lobaba cried,
“The lights of Heaven have ceased
“To guide us on our way.
“Should we remain and wait
“More favourable skies?
“Soon would our food and water fail us here!
“And if we venture on,
“There are the dangers of the wilderness!”
“Sure it were best proceed!”
The chosen youth replies.
“So haply we may reach some tent, or grove
“Of dates, or stationed tribe.
“But idly to remain
“Were yielding effortless, and waiting death.”
The wily Sorcerer willingly assents,
And farther in the sands,
Elate of heart, he leads the credulous youth.