Читать книгу Ismael; an oriental tale. With other poems - Edward Bulwer Lytton Baron Lytton - Страница 12

When Ismael learn’d, from whom he drew his breath,

Shich-Eidar’s virtues, and Shich-Eidar’s death,90

The rightful heir to Persia’s realms; his soul

With glory heav’d, disdaining Love’s control.

He left the maid, for Honour’s trumpet blew,

And straight to arms, and to revenge he flew.

Wrong’d by oppression, or impell’d by fame,

Around his standard, thousands daily came:

His sire’s old followers, joying to behold,

From their dead sage, arise a son so bold;

And many a chief, who lov’d in him to trace

A branch of Iran’s ancient royal race,100

And that an alien from his blood should fill

The throne of Usum Cassan, brook’d it ill.

Many, who view’d his talents and admir’d;

And more, by love of battle-spoils inspir’d;

Widen’d each day the miscellaneous band,

That swore to fight at Ismael’s command.—

He fought, and conquer’d! to applauding fame

Victorious war had giv’n his youthful name.

Alvante reign’d upon the Persian throne,

In Tauris sway’d, what Ismael deem’d his own;110

Thither he march’d, resolv’d, at one great blow,

His hopes, his fortunes, and his life to throw.

Tir’d with their rapid march, eve found his train

Encamp’d near Tauris, on soft Caymyr’s plain.

In yon tall tow’r, just peeping from the grove,

Knew Ismael there, now dwelt his ancient love:

For Ava fell in battle, and the fair

Gave to her mother Amagilda’s care.

And she, for safety from the civil war,

Fled from her native halls and vallies far;120

And with this only child, the widow’d dame,

To that tall tow’r near stately Tauris, came.

Unknown to all, high Ismael mounts his horse,

And tow’rds his Selyma directs his course.