"I answer thee, Yes. But a faint heart Can never accomplish its ends; Put thy trust boldly in him, and be sure He never forsakes his friends." While Eleëmon listen'd At the ugly voice of Abibas, And he could then almost have given His fatal purpose o'er ; But his Good Angel had left him, When he entered the Sorcerer's door. So in the strength of evil shame, "Let thy Master give me what I seek, O Servant of Satan," he said, "As I ask firmly, and for his Renounce all other aid! "Time presses. Cyra is content "Thus hath her Father will'd, that so "The admiring people say of this "Through Cappadocia far and wide "The robes are ready, rich with gold, Which at the altar she will wear "And that coarse habit too, which she "This night,.. this precious night is ours,.. Late, late, I come to you; But all that must be dared, or done, "Thou hast hesitated long!" said Abibas, In praying to Him whom I name not, "But thou hast chosen thy part, and here thou art ; And thou shalt have thy desire; And tho' at the eleventh hour Thou hast come to serve our Prince of Power, He will give thee in full thine hire. "These Tablets take;" (he wrote as he spake,) "My letters, which thou art to bear, Wherein I shall commend thee To the Prince of the Powers of the Air. "Go from the North Gate out, and take "And call the Spirits of the Air, "The passage will be swift and safe, No danger awaits thee beyond; Thou wilt only have now to sign and seal, And hereafter to pay the Bond." II. SHUNNING human sight, like a thief in the night, Inclosed with barren elms it stood, And thrice ten years those barren trees, Had grown and flourish'd, while the dead Long had they overtopt the tomb; And closed was now that upper room Where friends were wont to pour, There on that unblest monument A courage not his own he felt, Wherewith bad influences unseen The rising Moon grew pale in heaven At that unhappy sight; And all the blessed Stars seem'd then To close their twinkling light; And a shuddering in the elms was heard, Tho' winds were still that night. He call'd the Spirits of the Air, A strong hand which he could not see He felt a strong arm circle him, A whirr of unseen wings he heard Fast through the middle sky and far The Hurrican is not so swift, The Torrent not so strong; |