The undefended youth
Sprung forward, and he seized
Mohareb in his grasp,
And grappled with him breast to breast.
Sinewy and large of limb Mohareb was,
Broad-shouldered, and his joints
Knit firm, and in the strife
Of danger practised well.
Time had not thus matured young Thalaba:
But now the enthusiast mind,
The inspiration of his soul
Poured vigour like the strength
Of madness thro’ his frame.
Mohareb reels before him! he right on
With knee, with breast, with arm,
Presses the staggering foe!
And now upon the brink
Of that tremendous spring,
There with fresh impulse and a rush of force
He thrust him from his hold.
The upwhirling flood received
Mohareb, then, absorbed,
Engulphed him in the abyss.
Thalaba’s breath came fast,
And panting he breathed out
A broken prayer of thankfulness.
At length he spake and said,
“Haruth and Maruth! are ye here?
“Or has that evil guide misled my search?
“I, Thalaba, the Servant of the Lord,
“Invoke you. Hear me Angels! so may Heaven
“Accept and mitigate your penitence.
“I go to root from earth the Sorcerer brood,
“Tell me the needful Talisman!”
Thus as he spake, recumbent on the rock
Beyond the black abyss,
Their forms grew visible.
A settled sorrow sate upon their brows,
Sorrow alone, for trace of guilt and shame
No more remained; and gradual as by prayer
The sin was purged away,
Their robe[107] of glory, purified of stain
Resumed the lustre of its native light.
In awe the youth received the answering voice,
“Son of Hodeirah! thou hast proved it here;
“The Talisman is Faith.”
END OF THE FIRST VOLUME.
Thalaba the Destroyer.
by
Robert Southey.
|
Ποιηματων αϰρατης η
ελευϑερια, ϰαι
νομος εις, το δοξαν τω ϖοιητη. |
| Lucian, Quomodo Hist. scribenda. |
THE SECOND VOLUME.