XVIII
"The sun was sinking—still I lay Chain'd to the chill and stiffening steed; I thought to mingle there our clay;765 And my dim eyes of death had need, No hope arose of being freed. I cast my last looks up the sky, And there between me and the sun I saw the expecting raven fly,770 Who scarce would wait till both should die Ere his repast begun. He flew, and perch'd, then flew once more, And each time nearer than before; I saw his wing through twilight flit,775 And once so near me he alit I could have smote, but lack'd the strength; But the slight motion of my hand, And feeble scratching of the sand, The exerted throat's faint struggling noise,780 Which scarcely could be call'd a voice, Together scared him off at length.— I know no more—my latest dream Is something of a lovely star Which fix'd my dull eyes from afar,785 And went and came with wandering beam, And of the cold, dull, swimming, dense Sensation of recurring sense, And then subsiding back to death, And then again a little breath,790 A little thrill, a short suspense, An icy sickness curdling o'er My heart, and sparks that cross'd my brain— A gasp, a throb, a start of pain, A sigh, and nothing more.795
XIX
"I woke—Where was I?—Do I see A human face look down on me? And doth a roof above me close? Do these limbs on a couch repose? Is this a chamber where I lie?800 And is it mortal, yon bright eye That watches me with gentle glance? I closed my own again once more, As doubtful that the former trance Could not as yet be o'er.805 A slender girl, long-hair'd, and tall, Sate watching by the cottage wall: The sparkle of her eye I caught, Even with my first return of thought; For ever and anon she threw810 A prying, pitying glance on me With her black eyes so wild and free. I gazed, and gazed, until I knew No vision it could be,— But that I lived, and was released815 From adding to the vulture's feast. And when the Cossack maid beheld My heavy eyes at length unseal'd, She smiled—and I essay'd to speak, But fail'd—and she approach'd, and made820 With lip and finger signs that said, I must not strive as yet to break The silence, till my strength should be Enough to leave my accents free; And then her hand on mine she laid,825 And smooth'd the pillow for my head, And stole along on tiptoe tread, And gently oped the door, and spake In whispers—ne'er was voice so sweet! Even music follow'd her light feet;—830 But those she call'd were not awake, And she went forth; but, ere she pass'd, Another look on me she cast, Another sign she made, to say, That I had nought to fear, that all835 Were near at my command or call, And she would not delay Her due return:—while she was gone, Methought I felt too much alone.
XX
"She came with mother and with sire—840 What need of more?—I will not tire With long recital of the rest, Since I became the Cossack's guest. They found me senseless on the plain— They bore me to the nearest hut—845 They brought me into life again— Me—one day o'er their realm to reign! Thus the vain fool who strove to glut His rage, refining on my pain, Sent me forth to the wilderness,850 Bound, naked, bleeding, and alone, To pass the desert to a throne,— What mortal his own doom may guess?— Let none despond, let none despair! To-morrow the Borysthenes855 May see our coursers graze at ease Upon his Turkish bank,—and never Had I such welcome for a river As I shall yield when safely there. Comrades, good night!"—The Hetman threw860 His length beneath the oak-tree shade, With leafy couch already made, A bed nor comfortless nor new To him who took his rest whene'er The hour arrived, no matter where:865 His eyes the hastening slumbers steep. And if ye marvel Charles forgot To thank his tale he wonder'd not,— The king had been an hour asleep.
[THE DESTRUCTION OF SENNACHERIB]
The Assyrian came down like the wolf on the fold, And his cohorts were gleaming in purple and gold; And the sheen of their spears was like stars on the sea, When the blue wave rolls nightly on deep Galilee.