“Remember,” answered Azrael, “all thou sayest
“Is written down for judgement! every word
“In the balance of[171] thy trial must be weighed!”
“So be it!” said the Youth.
“He who can read the secrets of the heart
“Will judge with righteousness!
“This is no doubtful path,
“The voice of God within me cannot lie....
“I will not harm the innocent.”
He said, and from above,
As tho’ it were the Voice of Night,
The startling answer came.
“Son of Hodeirah, think again!
“One must depart from hence,
“Laila, or Thalaba;
“She dies for thee, or thou for her,
“It must be life for life!
“Son of Hodeirah, weigh it well,
“While yet the choice is thine!”
He hesitated not,
But looking upward spread his hands to Heaven,
“Oneiza, in thy bower of Paradise
“Receive me, still unstained!”
“What!” exclaimed Okba, “darest thou disobey,
“Abandoning all claim
“To Allah’s longer aid?”
The eager exultation of his speech
Earthward recalled the thoughts of Thalaba.
“And dost thou triumph, Murderer? dost thou deem
“Because I perish, that the unsleeping lids
“Of Justice shall be closed upon thy crime?
“Poor, miserable man! that thou canst live
“With such beast-blindness in the present joy
“When o’er thy head the sword of God
“Hangs for the certain stroke!”
“Servant of Allah, thou hast disobeyed,
“God hath abandoned thee,
“This hour is mine!” cried Okba,
And shook his Daughter off,
And drew the dagger from his vest.
And aimed the deadly blow.
All was accomplished. Laila rushed between
To save the saviour Youth.
She met the blow and sunk into his arms,
And Azrael from the hands[172] of Thalaba
Received her parting soul.