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LALLA ROOKH -- PART THREE

LALLA ROOKH could think of nothing all day but the misery of those two younglovers Her gayety was gone and she looked pensively even upon FADLAPEEN Shefelt too without knowing why a sort of uneasy pleasure in imagining that AZIM must

have been just such a youth as FERAMORZ just as worthy to enjoy all the blessingswithout any of the pangs of that illusive passion which too often like the sunny applesof Istkahar [88] is all sweetness on one side and all bitterness on the other

As they passed along a sequestered river after sunset they saw a young Hindoo girl uponthe bank whose employment seemed to them so strange that they stopped their

palankeens to observe her She had lighted a small lamp filled with oil of cocoa and placing it in an earthen dish adorned with a wreath of flowers had committed it with atrembling hand to the stream and was now anxiously watching its progress down thecurrent heedless of the gay cavalcade which had drawn up beside her LALLA ROOKHwas all curiosity--when one of her attendants who had lived upon the banks of theGanges (where this ceremony is so frequent that often in the dusk of the evening theriver is seen glittering all over with lights like the Oton-tala or Sea of Stars) [89] informed the princess that it was the usual way in which the friends of those who hadgone on dangerous voyages offered up vows for their safe return If the lamp sunk immediately the omen was disastrous but if it went shining down the stream andcontinued to burn till entirely out of sight the return of the beloved object wasconsidered as certain

LALLA ROOKH as they moved on more than once looked back to observe how theyoung Hindoos lamp proceeded and while she saw with pleasure that it was still

unextinguished she could not help fearing that all the hopes of this life were no better than that feeble light upon the river The remainder of the journey was passed in silenceShe now for the first time felt that shade of melancholy which comes over the youthfulmaidens heart as sweet and transient as her own breath upon a mirror nor was it till sheheard the lute of FERAMORZ touched lightly at the door of her pavilion that shewaked from the revery in which she had been wandering Instantly her eyes werelighted up with pleasure and after a few unheard remarks from FADLADEEN upon theindecorum of a poet seating himself in presence of a Princess everything was arrangedas on the preceding evening and all listened with eagerness while the story was thuscontinued--

Whose are the gilded tents that crowd the wayWhere all was waste and silent yesterdayThis City of War which in a few short hoursHath sprung up here as if the magic powers [90] Of Him who in the twinkling of a starBuilt the high pillared halls of CHILMINAR [91] Had conjurd up far as the eye can seeThis world of tents and domes and sunbright armory--Princely pavilions screened by many a foldOf crimson cloth and topt with balls of gold--

Steeds with their housings of rich silver spunTheir chains and poitrels glittering in the sun

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And camels tufted oer with Yemens shells [92] Shaking in every breeze their light-toned bells

But yester-eve so motionless aroundSo mute was this wide plain that not a sound

But the far torrent or the locust bird [93] Hunting among thickets could be heard--Yet hark what discords now of every kindShouts laughs and screams are revelling in the windThe neigh of cavalry --the tinkling throngsOf laden camels and their drivers songs--Ringing of arms and flapping in the breezeOf streamers from ten thousand canopies-- [94] War-music bursting out from time to timeWith gong and tymbalons tremendous chime--Or in the pause when harsher sounds are muteThe mellow breathings of some horn or fluteThat far off broken by the eagle noteOf the Abyssinian trumpet swell and float [95]

Who leads this mighty army --ask ye whoAnd mark ye not those banners of dark hueThe Night and Shadow over yonder tent-- [96] It is the CALIPHS glorious armamentRoused in his Palace by the dread alarmsThat hourly came of the false Prophets armsAnd of his host of infidels who hurledDefiance fierce at Islam and the world [97] Tho worn with Grecian warfare and behindThe veils of his bright Palace calm reclinedYet brooked he not such blasphemy should stainThus unrevenged the evening of his reignBut having sworn upon the Holy Grave [98] To conquer or to perish once more gaveHis shadowy banners proudly to the breezeAnd with an army nurst in victoriesHere stands to crush the rebels that oerrun

His blest and beauteous Province of the Sun

Neer did the march of MAHADI displaySuch pomp before --not even when on his wayTo MECCAS Temple when both land and seaWere spoiled to feed the Pilgrims luxury [99] When round him mid the burning sands he sawFruits of the North in icy freshness thawAnd cooled his thirsty lip beneath the glowOf MECCAS sun with urns of Persian snow--

Nor eer did armament more grand than that

Pour from the kingdoms of the CaliphatFirst in the van the People of the Rock [100]

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On their light mountain steeds of royal stock [101] Then chieftains of DAMASCUS proud to seeThe flashing of their swords rich marquetry-- [102] Men from the regions near the VOLGAS mouthMixt with the rude black archers of the South

And Indian lancers in white-turbaned ranksFrom the far SINDE or ATTOCKS sacred banksWith dusky legions from the Land of Myrrh [103] And many a mace-armed Moor and Midsea islander

Nor less in number tho more new and rudeIn warfares school was the vast multitudeThat fired by zeal or by oppression wrongedRound the white standard of the impostor throngedBeside his thousands of Believers-- blindBurning and headlong as the Samiel wind--Many who felt and more who feared to feelThe bloody Islamites converting steelFlockt to his banner --Chiefs of the UZBEK raceWaving their heron crests with martial grace [104] TURKOMANS countless as their flocks led forthFrom the aromatic pastures of the NorthWild warriors of the turquoise hills --and those [105] Who dwell beyond the everlasting snowsOf HINDOO KOSH in stormy freedom bredTheir fort the rock their camp the torrents bedBut none of all who owned the Chiefs commandRushed to that battle-field with bolder handOr sterner hate than IRANS outlawed menHer Worshippers of Fire-- all panting then [106] For vengeance on the accursed SaracenVengeance at last for their dear country spurnedHer throne usurpt and her bright shrines oerturned

From YEZDS eternal Mansion of the Fire [107] Where aged saints in dreams of Heaven expireFrom BADKU and those fountains of blue flame

That burn into the CASPIAN fierce they came [108] Careless for what or whom the blow was spedSo vengeance triumpht and their tyrants bled

Such was the wild and miscellaneous hostThat high in air their motley banners tostAround the Prophet-Chief-- all eyes still bentUpon that glittering Veil whereer it wentThat beacon thro the battles stormy floodThat rainbow of the field whose showers were blood

Twice hath the sun upon their conflict setAnd risen again and found them grappling yet

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While streams of carnage in his noontide blazeSmoke up to Heaven-- hot as that crimson hazeBy which the prostrate Caravan is awed [109] In the red Desert when the winds abroadOh Swords of God the panting CALIPH calls--

Thrones for the living-- Heaven for him who falls--On brave avengers on MOKANNA criesAnd EBLIS blast the recreant slave that flies

Now comes the brunt the crisis of the day--They clash-- they strive-- the CALIPHS troops give wayMOKANNAS self plucks the black Banner downAnd now the Orient Worlds Imperial crownIs just within his grasp-- when hark that shoutSome hand hath checkt the flying Moslems routAnd now they turn they rally-- at their headA warrior (like those angel youths who ledIn glorious panoply of Heavens own mailThe Champions of the Faith thro BEDERS vale) [110] Bold as if gifted with ten thousand livesTurns on the fierce pursuers blades and drivesAt once the multitudinous torrent back--While hope and courage kindle in his trackAnd at each step his bloody falchion makesTerrible vistas thro which victory breaksIn vain MOKANNA midst the general flightStands like the red moon on some stormy nightAmong the fugitive clouds that hurrying byLeave only her unshaken in the sky--In vain he yells his desperate curses outDeals death promiscuously to all aboutTo foes that charge and coward friends that flyAnd seems of all the Great ArchenemyThe panic spreads-- A miracle throughoutThe Moslem ranks a miracle they shoutAll gazing on that youth whose coming seemsA light a glory such as breaks in dreamsAnd every sword true as oer billows dim

The needle tracks the lode-star following him

Right towards MOKANNA now he cleaves his pathImpatient cleaves as tho the bolt of wrathHe bears from Heaven withheld its awful burstFrom weaker heads and souls but half way curstTo break oer Him the mightiest and the worstBut vain his speed-- tho in that hour of bloodHad all Gods seraphs round MOKANNA stoodWith swords ofire ready like fate to fallMOKANNAS soul would have defied them all

Yet now the rush of fugitives too strongFor human force hurries even him along

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In vain he struggles mid the wedged arrayOf flying thousands-- he is borne awayAnd the sole joy his baffled spirit knowsIn this forced flight is-- murdering as he goesAs a grim tiger whom the torrents might

Surprises in some parched ravine at nightTurns even in drowning on the wretched flocksSwept with him in that snow-flood from the rocksAnd to the last devouring on his wayBloodies the stream lie hath not power to stay

Alla illa Alla-- the glad shout renew--Alla Akbar-- the Caliphs in MEROU [111] Hang out your gilded tapestry in the streetsAnd light your shrines and chant your ziraleets [112] The swords of God have triumpht-- on his throneYour Caliph sits and the veiled Chief hath flownWho does not envy that young warrior nowTo whom the Lord of Islam bends his browIn all the graceful gratitude of powerFor his thrones safety in that perilous hourWho doth not wonder when amidst the acclaimOf thousands heralding to heaven his name--Mid all those holier harmonies of fameWhich sound along the path of virtuous soulsLike music round a planet as it rolls--He turns away-- coldly as if some gloomHung oer his heart no triumphs can illume--Some sightless grief upon whose blasted gazeTho glorys light may play in vain it playsYes wretched AZIM thine is such a griefBeyond all hope all terror all reliefA dark cold calm which nothing now can breakOr warm or brighten --Like that Syrian Lake [113] Upon whose surface morn and summer shedTheir smiles in vain for all beneath is dead--Hearts there have been oer which this weight of woe

Came by long use of suffering tame and slowBut thine lost youth was sudden-- over theeIt broke at once when all seemed ecstasyWhen Hope lookt up and saw the gloomy PastMelt into splendor and Bliss dawn at last--Twas then even then oer joys so freshly blownThis mortal blight of misery came downEven then the full warm gushings of thy heartWere checkt-- like fount-drops frozen as they start--And there like them cold sunless relics hangEach fixt and chilled into a lasting pang

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One sole desire one passion now remainsTo keep lifes fever still within his veinsVengeance --dire vengeance on the wretch who castOer him and all he loved that ruinous blastFor this when rumors reached him in his flight

Far far away after that fatal night--Rumors of armies thronging to the attack Of the Veiled Chief --for this he winged him backFleet as the Vulture speeds to flags unfurledAnd when all hope seemed desperate wildly hurledHimself into the scale and saved a worldFor this he still lives on careless of allThe wreaths that Glory on his path lets fallFor this alone exists-- like lightning-fireTo speed one bolt of vengeance and expire

But safe as yet that Spirit of Evil livesWith a small band of desperate fugitivesThe last sole stubborn fragment left unrivenOf the proud host that late stood fronting HeavenHe gained MEROU-- breathed a short curse of bloodOer his lost throne-- then past the JIHONS flood [114] And gathering all whose madness of belief Still saw a Saviour in their down-fallen ChiefRaised the white banner within NEKSHEBS gates [115] And there untamed the approaching conqueror waits

Of all his Haram all that busy hiveWith music and with sweets sparkling aliveHe took but one the partner of his flightOne-- not for love-- not for her beautys light--

No ZELICA stood withering midst the gayWan as the blossom that fell yesterdayFrom the Alma tree and dies while overheadTo-days young flower is springing in its stead [116] Oh not for love-- the deepest Damned must beTouched with Heavens glory ere such fiends as he

Can feel one glimpse of Loves divinityBut no she is his victim there lie allHer charms for him-- charms that can never pallAs long as hell within his heart can stirOr one faint trace of Heaven is left in herTo work an angels ruin --to beholdAs white a page as Virtue eer unrolledBlacken beneath his touch into a scrollOf damning sins sealed with a burning soul--This is his triumph this the joy accurstThat ranks him among demons all but first

This gives the victim that before him liesBlighted and lost a glory in his eyes

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A sudden splendor all around them brokeAnd they beheld an orb ample and brightRise from the Holy Well and cast its light [123] Round the rich city and the plain for miles--Flinging such radiance oer the gilded tiles

Of many a dome and fair-roofed imaretAs autumn suns shed round them when they setInstant from all who saw the illusive signA murmur broke-- Miraculous divineThe Gheber bowed thinking his idol star Had waked and burst impatient thro the bar Of midnight to inflame him to the warWhile he of MOUSSAS creed saw in that rayThe glorious Light which in his freedoms dayHad rested on the Ark and now again [124] Shone out to bless the breaking of his chain

To victory is at once the cry of all-- Nor stands MOKANNA loitering at that callBut instant the huge gates are flung asideAnd forth like a diminutive mountain-tideInto the boundless sea they speed their courseRight on into the MOSLEMS mighty forceThe watchmen of the camp --who in their roundsHad paused and even forgot the punctual soundsOf the small drum with which they count the night [125] To gaze upon that supernatural light--

Now sink beneath an unexpected armAnd in a death-groan give their last alarmOn for the lamps that light yon lofty screen [126] Nor blunt your blades with massacre so meanThere rests the CALIPH-- speed-- one lucky lanceMay now achieve mankinds deliveranceDesperate the die-- such as they only castWho venture for a world and stake their lastBut Fates no longer with him-- blade for bladeSprings up to meet them thro the glimmering shade

And as the clash is heard new legions soonPour to the spot like bees of KAUZEROON [127] To the shrill timbrels summons --till at lengthThe mighty camp swarms out in all its strengthAnd back to NEKSHEBS gates covering the plainWith random slaughter drives the adventurous trainAmong the last of whom the Silver VeilIs seen glittering at times like the white sailOf some tost vessel on a stormy nightCatching the tempests momentary light

And hath not this brought the proud spirit low Nor dashed his brow nor checkt his daring No

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A sudden splendor all around them brokeAnd they beheld an orb ample and brightRise from the Holy Well and cast its light [123] Round the rich city and the plain for miles--Flinging such radiance oer the gilded tiles

Of many a dome and fair-roofed imaretAs autumn suns shed round them when they setInstant from all who saw the illusive signA murmur broke-- Miraculous divineThe Gheber bowed thinking his idol star Had waked and burst impatient thro the bar Of midnight to inflame him to the warWhile he of MOUSSAS creed saw in that rayThe glorious Light which in his freedoms dayHad rested on the Ark and now again [124] Shone out to bless the breaking of his chain

To victory is at once the cry of all-- Nor stands MOKANNA loitering at that callBut instant the huge gates are flung asideAnd forth like a diminutive mountain-tideInto the boundless sea they speed their courseRight on into the MOSLEMS mighty forceThe watchmen of the camp --who in their roundsHad paused and even forgot the punctual soundsOf the small drum with which they count the night [125] To gaze upon that supernatural light--

Now sink beneath an unexpected armAnd in a death-groan give their last alarmOn for the lamps that light yon lofty screen [126] Nor blunt your blades with massacre so meanThere rests the CALIPH-- speed-- one lucky lanceMay now achieve mankinds deliveranceDesperate the die-- such as they only castWho venture for a world and stake their lastBut Fates no longer with him-- blade for bladeSprings up to meet them thro the glimmering shade

And as the clash is heard new legions soonPour to the spot like bees of KAUZEROON [127] To the shrill timbrels summons --till at lengthThe mighty camp swarms out in all its strengthAnd back to NEKSHEBS gates covering the plainWith random slaughter drives the adventurous trainAmong the last of whom the Silver VeilIs seen glittering at times like the white sailOf some tost vessel on a stormy nightCatching the tempests momentary light

And hath not this brought the proud spirit low Nor dashed his brow nor checkt his daring No

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Tho half the wretches whom at night he ledTo thrones and victory lie disgraced and deadYet morning hears him with unshrinking crestStill vaunt of thrones and victory to the rest--And they believe him --oh the lover may

Distrust that look which steals his soul away--The babe may cease to think that it can playWith Heavens rainbow --alchymists may doubtThe shining gold their crucible gives outBut Faith fanatic Faith once wedded fastTo some dear falsehood hugs it to the last

And well the Impostor knew all lures and artsThat LUCIFER eer taught to tangle hearts

Nor mid these last bold workings of his plotAgainst mens souls is ZELICA forgotIll-fated ZELICA had reason beenAwake thro half the horrors thou hast seenThou never couldst have borne it-- Death had comeAt once and taken thy wrung spirit homeBut twas not so-- a torpor a suspenseOf thought almost of life came oer the intenseAnd passionate struggles of that fearful nightWhen her last hope of peace and heaven took flightAnd tho at times a gleam of frenzy broke--As thro some dull volcanos veil of smokeOminous flashings now and then will startWhich show the fires still busy at its heartYet was she mostly wrapt in solemn gloom--

Not such as AZIMS brooding oer its doomAnd calm without as is the brow of deathWhile busy worms are gnawing underneath--But in a blank and pulseless torpor freeFrom thought or pain a sealed-up apathyWhich left her oft with scarce one living thrillThe cold pale victim of her torturers will

Again as in MEROU he had her decktGorgeously out the Priestess of the sectAnd led her glittering forth before the eyesOf his rude train as to a sacrifice--Pallid as she the young devoted BrideOf the fierce NILE when deckt in all the prideOf nuptial pomp she sinks into his tide [128] And while the wretched maid hung down her headAnd stood as one just risen from the deadAmid that gazing crowd the fiend would tellHis credulous slaves it was some charm or spell

Possest her now --and from that darkened tranceShould dawn ere long their Faiths deliverance

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Or if at times goaded by guilty shameHer soul was roused and words of wildness cameInstant the bold blasphemer would translateHer ravings into oracles of fateWould hail Heavens signals in her flashing eyes

And call her shrieks the language of the skies

But vain at length his arts-- despair is seenGathering around and famine comes to gleanAll that the sword had left unreaped --in vainAt morn and eve across the northern plainHe looks impatient for the promised spearsOf the wild Hordes and TARTAR mountaineersThey come not-- while his fierce beleaguerers pour Engines of havoc in unknown before [129] And horrible as new --javelins that fly [130] Enwreathed with smoky flames thro the dark skyAnd red-hot globes that opening as they mountDischarge as from a kindled Naphtha fount [131] Showers of consuming fire oer all belowLooking as thro the illumined night they goLike those wild birds that by the Magians oft [132] At festivals of fire were sent aloftInto the air with blazing fagots tiedTo their huge wings scattering combustion wideAll night the groans of wretches who expireIn agony beneath these darts of fireRing thro the city-- while descending oer Its shrines and domes and streets of sycamore--Its lone bazars with their bright cloths of goldSince the last peaceful pageant left unrolled--Its beauteous marble baths whose idle jets

Now gush with blood --and its tall minaretsThat late have stood up in the evening glareOf the red sun unhallowed by a prayer--Oer each in turn the dreadful flame-bolts fallAnd death and conflagration throughout all

The desolate city hold high festival

MOKANNA sees the world is his no more--One sting at parting and his grasp is oerWhat drooping now --thus with unblushing cheekHe hails the few who yet can hear him speakOf all those famished slaves around him lyingAnd by the light of blazing temples dyingWhat --drooping now --now when at length we pressHome oer the very threshold of successWhen ALLA from our ranks hath thinned away

Those grosser branches that kept out his rayOf favor from us and we stand at length

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Heirs of his light and children of his strengthThe chosen few who shall survive the fallOf Kings and Thrones triumphant over allHave you then lost weak murmurers as you areAll faith in him who was your Light your Star

Have you forgot the eye of glory hidBeneath this Veil the flashing of whose lidCould like a sun-stroke of the desert wither Millions of such as yonder Chief brings hitherLong have its lightnings slept-- too long-- but nowAll earth shall feel the unveiling of this browTo-night-- yes sainted men this very nightI bid you all to a fair festal riteWhere-- having deep refreshed each weary limbWith viands such as feast Heavens cherubimAnd kindled up your souls now sunk and dimWith that pure wine the Dark-eyed Maids aboveKeep sealed with precious musk for those they love-- [133] I will myself uncurtain in your sightThe wonders of this brows ineffable lightThen lead you forth and with a wink disperseYon myriads howling thro the universe

Eager they listen-- while each accent darts New life into their chilled and hope-sick heartsSuch treacherous life as the cool draught suppliesTo him upon the stake who drinks and diesWildly they point their lances to the lightOf the fast sinking sun and shout To-night--To-night their Chief re-echoes in a voiceOf fiend-like mockery that bids hell rejoiceDeluded victims --never hath this earthSeen mourning half so mournful as their mirth

Here to the few whose iron frames had stoodThis racking waste of famine and of bloodFaint dying wretches clung from whom the shoutOf triumph like a maniacs laugh broke out--

There others lighted by the smouldering fireDanced like wan ghosts about a funeral pyreAmong the dead and dying strewed around--While some pale wretch lookt on and from his woundPlucking the fiery dart by which he bledIn ghastly transport waved it oer his head

Twas more than midnight now-- a fearful pauseHad followed the long shouts the wild applauseThat lately from those Royal Gardens burstWhere the veiled demon held his feast accurst

When ZELICA alas poor ruined heartIn every horror doomed to bear its part--

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Was bidden to the banquet by a slaveWho while his quivering lip the summons gaveGrew black as tho the shadows of the graveCompast him round and ere he could repeatHis message thro fell lifeless at her feet

Shuddering she went-- a soul-felt pang of fear A presage that her own dark doom was nearRoused every feeling and brought Reason back Once more to writhe her last upon the rackAll round seemed tranquil even the foe had ceasedAs if aware of that demoniac feastHis fiery bolts and tho the heavens looked redTwas but some distant conflagrations spreadBut hark-- she stops-- she listens-- dreadful toneTis her Tormentors laugh-- and now a groanA long death-groan comes with it-- can this beThe place of mirth the bower of revelry

She enters-- Holy ALLA what a sightWas there before her By the glimmering lightOf the pale dawn mixt with the flare of brandsThat round lay burning dropt from lifeless handsShe saw the board in splendid mockery spreadRich censers breathing-- garlands overhead--The urns the cups from which they late had quaftAll gold and gems but-- what had been the draughtOh who need ask that saw those livid guestsWith their swollen heads sunk blackening on their breastsOr looking pale to Heaven with glassy glareAs if they sought but saw no mercy thereAs if they felt tho poison racked them throRemorse the deadlier torment of the twoWhile some the bravest hardiest in the trainOf their false Chief who on the battle-plainWould have met death with transport by his sideHere mute and helpless gasped --but as they diedLookt horrible vengeance with their eyes last strain

And clenched the slackening hand at him in vain

Dreadful it was to see the ghastly stareThe stony look of horror and despairWhich some of these expiring victims castUpon their souls tormentor to the lastUpon that mocking Fiend whose Veil now raisedShowed them as in deaths agony they gazed

Not the long promised light the brow whose beamingWas to come forth all conquering all redeemingBut features horribler than Hell eer traced

On its own brood --no Demon of the Waste [134] No church-yard Ghoul caught lingering in the light

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Of the blest sun eer blasted human sightWith lineaments so foul so fierce as thoseThe Impostor now in grinning mockery shows--There ye wise Saints behold your Light your Star--Ye would be dupes and victims and ye are

Is it enough or must I while a thrillLives in your sapient bosoms cheat you stillSwear that the burning death ye feel withinIs but the trance with which Heavens joys beginThat this foul visage foul as eer disgracedEven monstrous men is-- after Gods own tasteAnd that-- but see --ere I have half-way saidMy greetings thro the uncourteous souls are fledFarewell sweet spirits not in vain ye dieIf EBLIS loves you half so well as I--Ha my young bride --tis well-- take thou thy seatNay come-- no shuddering-- didst thou never meetThe Dead before --they graced our wedding sweetAnd these my guests to-night have brimmed so trueTheir parting cups that thou shalt pledge one tooBut-- how is this --all empty all drunk upHot lips have been before thee in the cupYoung bride --yet stay-- one precious drop remainsEnough to warm a gentle Priestess veins--Here drink-- and should thy lovers conquering armsSpeed hither ere thy lip lose all its charmsGive him but half this venom in thy kissAnd Ill forgive my haughty rivals bliss

For me-- I too must die-- but not like theseVile rankling things to fester in the breezeTo have this brow in ruffian triumph shownWith all deaths grimness added to its ownAnd rot to dust beneath the taunting eyesOf slaves exclaiming There his Godship liesNo-- cursed race-- since first my soul drew breathTheyve been my dupes and shall be even in death

Thou seest yon cistern in the shade-- tis filledWith burning drugs for this last hour distilledThere will I plunge me in that liquid flame--Fit bath to lave a dying Prophets frame--There perish all-- ere pulse of thine shall fail--Nor leave one limb to tell mankind the taleSo shall my votaries wheresoeer they raveProclaim that Heaven took back the Saint it gave--That Ive but vanished from this earth awhileTo come again with bright unshrouded smileSo shall they build me altars in their zeal

Where knaves shall minister and fools shall kneelWhere Faith may mutter oer her mystic spell

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Written in blood-- and Bigotry may swellThe sail he spreads for Heaven with blasts from hellSo shall my banner thro long ages beThe rallying sign of fraud and anarchy--Kings yet unborn shall rue MOKANNAS name

And tho I die my spirit still the sameShall walk abroad in all the stormy strifeAnd guilt and blood that were its bliss in lifeBut hark their battering engine shakes the wall--Why let it shake-- thus I can brave them allNo trace of me shall greet them when they comeAnd I can trust thy faith for-- thoult be dumbNow mark how readily a wretch like meIn one bold plunge commences Deity

He sprung and sunk as the last words were said--Quick closed the burning waters oer his headAnd ZELICA was left-- within the ringOf those wide walls the only living thingThe only wretched one still curst with breathIn all that frightful wilderness of deathMore like some bloodless ghost-- such as they tellIn the Lone Cities of the Silent dwell [135] And there unseen of all but ALLA sitEach by its own pale carcass watching itBut morn is up and a fresh warfare stirsThroughout the camp of the beleaguerersTheir globes of fire (the dread artillery lentBy GREECE to conquering MAHADI) are spentAnd now the scorpions shaft the quarry sentFrom high balistas and the shielded throngOf soldiers swinging the huge ram alongAll speak the impatient Islamites intentTo try at length if tower and battlementAnd bastioned wall be not less hard to winLess tough to break down than the hearts withinFirst he in impatience and in toil is

The burning AZIM-- oh could he but seeThe impostor once alive within his grasp Not the gaunt lions hug nor boas claspCould match thy gripe of vengeance or keep paceWith the fell heartiness of Hates embrace

Loud rings the ponderous ram against the walls Now shake the ramparts now a buttress fallsBut still no breach-- Once more one mighty swingOf all your beams together thunderingThere-- the wall shakes-- the shouting troops exult

Quick quick discharge your weightiest catapultRight on that spot and NEKSHEB is our own

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Written in blood-- and Bigotry may swellThe sail he spreads for Heaven with blasts from hellSo shall my banner thro long ages beThe rallying sign of fraud and anarchy--Kings yet unborn shall rue MOKANNAS name

And tho I die my spirit still the sameShall walk abroad in all the stormy strifeAnd guilt and blood that were its bliss in lifeBut hark their battering engine shakes the wall--Why let it shake-- thus I can brave them allNo trace of me shall greet them when they comeAnd I can trust thy faith for-- thoult be dumbNow mark how readily a wretch like meIn one bold plunge commences Deity

He sprung and sunk as the last words were said--Quick closed the burning waters oer his headAnd ZELICA was left-- within the ringOf those wide walls the only living thingThe only wretched one still curst with breathIn all that frightful wilderness of deathMore like some bloodless ghost-- such as they tellIn the Lone Cities of the Silent dwell [135] And there unseen of all but ALLA sitEach by its own pale carcass watching itBut morn is up and a fresh warfare stirsThroughout the camp of the beleaguerersTheir globes of fire (the dread artillery lentBy GREECE to conquering MAHADI) are spentAnd now the scorpions shaft the quarry sentFrom high balistas and the shielded throngOf soldiers swinging the huge ram alongAll speak the impatient Islamites intentTo try at length if tower and battlementAnd bastioned wall be not less hard to winLess tough to break down than the hearts withinFirst he in impatience and in toil is

The burning AZIM-- oh could he but seeThe impostor once alive within his grasp Not the gaunt lions hug nor boas claspCould match thy gripe of vengeance or keep paceWith the fell heartiness of Hates embrace

Loud rings the ponderous ram against the walls Now shake the ramparts now a buttress fallsBut still no breach-- Once more one mighty swingOf all your beams together thunderingThere-- the wall shakes-- the shouting troops exult

Quick quick discharge your weightiest catapultRight on that spot and NEKSHEB is our own

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Tis done-- the battlements come crashing downAnd the huge wall by that stroke riven in twoYawning like some old crater rent anewShows the dim desolate city smoking throBut strange no sign of life-- naught living seen

Above below-- what can this stillness meanA minutes pause suspends all hearts and eyes--In thro the breach impetuous AZIM criesBut the cool CALIPH fearful of some wileIn this blank stillness checks the troops awhile--Just then a figure with slow step advancedForth from the ruined walls and as there glancedA sunbeam over it all eyes could seeThe well-known Silver Veil-- Tis He tis HeMOKANNA and alone they shout aroundYoung AZIM from his steed springs to the ground--Mine Holy Caliph mine he cries the task To crush yon daring wretch-- tis all I askEager he darts to meet the demon foeWho still across wide heaps of ruin slowAnd falteringly comes till they are nearThen with a bound rushes on AZIMS spearAnd casting off the Veil in falling shows--Oh-- tis his ZELICAS life-blood that flows

I meant not AZIM soothingly she saidAs on his trembling arm she leaned her headAnd looking in his face saw anguish thereBeyond all wounds the quivering flesh can bear--I meant not thou shouldst have the pain of this--Tho death with thee thus tasted is a blissThou wouldst not rob me of didst thou but knowHow oft Ive prayed to God I might die soBut the Fiends venom was too scant and slow--To linger on were maddening-- and I thoughtIf once that Veil-- nay look not on it-- caughtThe eyes of your fierce soldiery I should be

Struck by a thousand death-darts instantlyBut this is sweeter-- oh believe me yes--I would not change this sad but dear caressThis death within thy arms I would not giveFor the most smiling life the happiest liveAll that stood dark and drear before the eyeOf my strayed soul is passing swiftly byA light comes oer me from those looks of loveLike the first dawn of mercy from aboveAnd if thy lips but tell me Im forgivenAngels will echo the blest words in Heaven

But live my AZIM- -oh to call thee mineThus once again my AZIM-- dream divine

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Live if thou ever lovedst me if to meetThy ZELICA hereafter would be sweetOh live to pray for her-- to bend the kneeMorning and night before that DeityTo whom pure lips and hearts without a stain

As thine are AZIM never breathed in vain--And pray that He may pardon her --may takeCompassion on her soul for thy dear sakeAnd naught remembering but her love to theeMake her all thine all His eternallyGo to those happy fields where first we twinedOur youthful hearts together-- every windThat meets thee there fresh from the well-known flowersWill bring the sweetness of those innocent hoursBack to thy soul and thou mayst feel againFor thy poor ZELICA as thou didst thenSo shall thy orisons like dew that fliesTo Heaven upon the mornings sunshine riseWith all loves earliest ardor to the skiesAnd should they-- but alas my senses fail--Oh for one minute --should thy prayers prevail--If pardoned souls may from that World of BlissReveal their joy to those they love in this--Ill come to thee-- in some sweet dream--a nd tell--Oh Heaven-- I die-- dear love farewell farewell

Time fleeted-- years on years had past awayAnd few of those who on that mournful dayHad stood with pity in their eyes to seeThe maidens death and the youths agonyWere living still-- when by a rustic graveBeside the swift Amoos transparent waveAn aged man who had grown aged thereBy that lone grave morning and night in prayerFor the last time knelt down-- and tho the shadeOf death hung darkening over him there playedA gleam of rapture on his eye and cheek

That brightened even Death-- like the last streak Of intense glory on the horizons brimWhen night oer all the rest hangs chill and dimHis soul had seen a Vision while he sleptShe for whose spirit he had prayed and weptSo many years had come to him all drestIn angel smiles and told him she was blestFor this the old man breathed his thanks and died--And there upon the banks of that loved tideHe and his ZELICA sleep side by side

-- on to Part Four --

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Live if thou ever lovedst me if to meetThy ZELICA hereafter would be sweetOh live to pray for her-- to bend the kneeMorning and night before that DeityTo whom pure lips and hearts without a stain

As thine are AZIM never breathed in vain--And pray that He may pardon her --may takeCompassion on her soul for thy dear sakeAnd naught remembering but her love to theeMake her all thine all His eternallyGo to those happy fields where first we twinedOur youthful hearts together-- every windThat meets thee there fresh from the well-known flowersWill bring the sweetness of those innocent hoursBack to thy soul and thou mayst feel againFor thy poor ZELICA as thou didst thenSo shall thy orisons like dew that fliesTo Heaven upon the mornings sunshine riseWith all loves earliest ardor to the skiesAnd should they-- but alas my senses fail--Oh for one minute --should thy prayers prevail--If pardoned souls may from that World of BlissReveal their joy to those they love in this--Ill come to thee-- in some sweet dream--a nd tell--Oh Heaven-- I die-- dear love farewell farewell

Time fleeted-- years on years had past awayAnd few of those who on that mournful dayHad stood with pity in their eyes to seeThe maidens death and the youths agonyWere living still-- when by a rustic graveBeside the swift Amoos transparent waveAn aged man who had grown aged thereBy that lone grave morning and night in prayerFor the last time knelt down-- and tho the shadeOf death hung darkening over him there playedA gleam of rapture on his eye and cheek

That brightened even Death-- like the last streak Of intense glory on the horizons brimWhen night oer all the rest hangs chill and dimHis soul had seen a Vision while he sleptShe for whose spirit he had prayed and weptSo many years had come to him all drestIn angel smiles and told him she was blestFor this the old man breathed his thanks and died--And there upon the banks of that loved tideHe and his ZELICA sleep side by side

-- on to Part Four --

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[88] In the territory of Istkahar there is a kind of apple half of which is sweet and half sour --EbnHaukal

[89] The place where the Whangho a river of Tibet rises and where there are more than a hundredsprings which sparkle like stars whence it is called Hotun-nor that is the Sea of Stars --Description of Tibet in Pinkerton

[90] The Lescar or Imperial Camp is divided like a regular town into squares alleys and streets andfrom a rising ground furnishes one of the most agreeable prospects in the world Starting up in a fewhours in an uninhabited plain it raises the idea of a city built by enchantment Even those who leave their houses in cities to follow the prince in his progress are frequently so charmed with the Lescar whensituated in a beautiful and convenient place that they cannot prevail with themselves to remove To

prevent this inconvenience to the court the Emperor after sufficient time is allowed to the tradesmen tofollow orders them to be burnt out of their tents --Dows Hindostan

[91] The edifices of Chilminar and Balbec are supposed to have been built by the Genii acting under theorders of Jan ben Jan who governed the world long before the time of Adam

[92] A superb camel ornamented with strings and tufts of small shells --Ali Bey

[93] A native of Khorassan and allured southward by means of the water of a fountain between Shirazand Ispahan called the Fountain of Birds of which it is so fond that it will follow wherever that water iscarried

[94] Some of the camels have bells about their necks and some about their legs like those which our carriers put about their fore-horses necks which together with the servants (who belong to the camelsand travel on foot) singing all night make a pleasant noise and the journey passes away delightfully --Pitts Account of the Mahometans The camel-driver follows the camels singing and sometimes playing upon his pipe the louder he singsand pipes the faster the camels go Nay they will stand still when he gives over his music --Tavernier

[95] This trumpet is often called in Abyssinia nesser cano which signifies the Note of the Eagle -- Note of Bruces Editor

[96] The two black standards borne before the Caliphs of the House of Abbas were called allegoricallyThe Night and The Shadow --See Gibbon

[97] The Mahometan religion

[98] The Persians swear by the Tomb of Shad Besade who is buried at Casbin and when one desiresanother to asseverate a matter he will ask him if he dare swear by the Holy Grave --Struy

[99] Mahadi in a single pilgrimage to Mecca expended six millions of dinars of gold

[100] The inhabitants of Hejaz or Arabia Petraea called by an Eastern writer The People of the Rock --Ebn Haukal

[101] Those horses called by the Arabians Kochlani of whom a written genealogy has been kept for 2000 years They are said to derive their origin from King Solomons steeds --Niebuhr

[102] Many of the figures on the blades of their swords are wrought in gold or silver or in marquetrywith small gems -- Asiat Misc v i

[103] Azab or Saba

[104] The chiefs of the Uzbek Tartars wear a plume of white herons feathers in their turbans -- Account

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of Independent Tartary

[105] In the mountains of Nishapour and Tous in (Khorassan) they find turquoises --Ebn Huukal

[106] The Ghebers or Guebres those original natives of Persia who adhered to their ancient faith thereligion of Zoroaster and who after the conquest of their country by the Arabs were either persecuted athome or forced to become wanderers abroad

[107] Yezd the chief residence of those ancient natives who worship the Sun and the Fire which latter they have carefully kept lighted without being once extinguished for a moment about 3000 years on amountain near Yezd called Ater Quedah signifying the House or Mansion of the Fire He is reckonedvery unfortunate who dies off that mountain --Stephens Persia

[108] When the weather is hazy the springs of Naphtha (on an island near Baku) boil up the higher andthe Naphtha often takes fire on the surface of the earth and runs in a flame into the sea to a distancealmost incredible --Hanway on the Everlasting Fire at Baku

[109] Savary says of the south wind which blows in Egypt from February to May Sometimes it appears

only in the shape of an impetuous whirlwind which passes rapidly and is fatal to the traveller surprisedin the middle of the deserts Torrents of burning sand roll before it the firmament is enveloped in a thick veil and the sun appears of the color of blood Sometimes whole caravans are buried in it

[110] In the great victory gained by Mahomed at Beder he was assisted say the Mussulmans by threethousand angels led by Gabriel mounted on his horse Hiazum --See The Koran and its Commentators

[111] The Tecbir or cry of the Arabs Alla Acbar says Ockley means God is most mighty

[112] The ziraleet is a kind of chorus which the women of the East sing upon joyful occasions

[113] The Dead Sea which contains neither animal nor vegetable life

[114] The ancient Oxus

[115] A city of Transoxiana

[116] You never can cast your eyes on this tree but you meet there either blossoms or fruit and as the blossom drops underneath on the ground (which is frequently covered with these purple-colored flowers)others come forth in their stead etc --Nieuhoff

[117] The Demons of the Persian mythology

[118] Carreri mentions the fire-flies in India during the rainy season --See his Travels

[119] Sennacherib called by the Orientals King of Moussal --DHerbelot

[120] Chosroes For the description of his Throne or Palace see Gibbon and DHerbelot There were said to be under this Throne or Palace of Khosrou Parviz a hundred vaults filled withtreasures so immense that some Mahometan writers tell us their Prophet to encourage his disciplescarried them to a rock which at his command opened and gave them a prospect through it of the treasuresof Khosrou -- Universal History

[121] The crown of Gerashid is cloudy and tarnished before the heron tuft of thy turban --From one of the elegies or songs in praise of Ali written in characters of gold round the gallery of Abbass tomb --SeeChardin

[122] The beauty of Alis eyes was so remarkable that whenever the Persians would describe anything asvery lovely they say it is Ayn Hali or the Eyes of Ali --Chardin

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[123] Nakshab the name of a city in Transoxiana where they say there is a well in which theappearance of the moon is to be seen night and day

[124] The Shechinah called Sakinat in the Koran--See Sales Note chap ii

[125] The parts of the night are made known as well by instruments of music as by the rounds of thewatchmen with cries and small drums --See Burders Oriental Customs vol i p 119

[126] The Serrapurda high screens of red cloth stiffened with cane used to enclose a considerable spaceround the royal tents --Notes on the Bahardanush The tents of Princes were generally illuminated Norden tells us that the tent of the Bey of Girge wasdistinguished from the other tents by forty lanterns being suspended before it --See HarmersObservations on Job

[127] From the groves of orange trees at Kauzeroon the bees cull a celebrated honey --Moriers Travels

[128] A custom still subsisting at this day seems to me to prove that the Egyptians formerly sacrificed ayoung virgin to the God of the Nile for they now make a statue of earth in shape of a girl to which theygive the name of the Betrothed Bride and throw it into the river --Savary

[129] That they knew the secret of the Greek fire among the Mussulmans early in the eleventh centuryappears from Dows account of Mamood I When he at Moultan finding that the country of the Jits wasdefended by great rivers he ordered fifteen hundred boats to be built each of which he armed with sixiron spikes projecting from their prows and sides to prevent their being boarded by the enemy who werevery expert in that kind of war When he had launched this fleet he ordered twenty archers into each boatand five others with fire-balls to burn the craft of the Jits and naphtha to set the whole river on fire

[130] The Greek fire which was occasionally lent by the emperors to their allies It was says Gibboneither launched in red-hot balls of stone and iron or darted in arrows and javelins twisted round with

flax and tow which had deeply imbibed the inflammable oil [131] See Hanways Account of the Springs of Naphtha at Baku (which is called by Lieutenant Pottinger Joala Mookee or the Flaming Mouth) taking fire and running into the sea Dr Cooke in his Journal mentions some wells in Circassia strongly impregnated with this inflammable oil from which issues

boiling water Though the weather he adds was now very cold the warmth of these wells of hot water produced near them the verdure and flowers of spring

[132] At the great festival of fire called the Sheb Seze they used to set fire to large bunches of drycombustibles fastened round wild beasts and birds which being then let loose the air and earth appearedone great illumination and as these terrified creatures naturally fled to the woods for shelter it is easy toconceive the conflagrations they produced --Richardsons Dissertation

[133] The righteous shall be given to drink of pure wine sealed the seal whereof shall be musk -- Koran chap lxxxiii

[134] The Afghans believe each of the numerous solitudes and deserts of their country to be inhabited bya lonely demon whom they call The Ghoolee Beeaban or Spirit of the Waste They often illustrate thewildness of any sequestered tribe by saying they are wild as the Demon of the Waste --ElphinstonesCaubul

[135] They have all a great reverence for burial-grounds which they sometimes call by the poeticalname of Cities of the Silent and which they people with the ghosts of the departed who sit each at thehead of his own grave invisible to mortal eyes --Elphinstone

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of Independent Tartary

[105] In the mountains of Nishapour and Tous in (Khorassan) they find turquoises --Ebn Huukal

[106] The Ghebers or Guebres those original natives of Persia who adhered to their ancient faith thereligion of Zoroaster and who after the conquest of their country by the Arabs were either persecuted athome or forced to become wanderers abroad

[107] Yezd the chief residence of those ancient natives who worship the Sun and the Fire which latter they have carefully kept lighted without being once extinguished for a moment about 3000 years on amountain near Yezd called Ater Quedah signifying the House or Mansion of the Fire He is reckonedvery unfortunate who dies off that mountain --Stephens Persia

[108] When the weather is hazy the springs of Naphtha (on an island near Baku) boil up the higher andthe Naphtha often takes fire on the surface of the earth and runs in a flame into the sea to a distancealmost incredible --Hanway on the Everlasting Fire at Baku

[109] Savary says of the south wind which blows in Egypt from February to May Sometimes it appears

only in the shape of an impetuous whirlwind which passes rapidly and is fatal to the traveller surprisedin the middle of the deserts Torrents of burning sand roll before it the firmament is enveloped in a thick veil and the sun appears of the color of blood Sometimes whole caravans are buried in it

[110] In the great victory gained by Mahomed at Beder he was assisted say the Mussulmans by threethousand angels led by Gabriel mounted on his horse Hiazum --See The Koran and its Commentators

[111] The Tecbir or cry of the Arabs Alla Acbar says Ockley means God is most mighty

[112] The ziraleet is a kind of chorus which the women of the East sing upon joyful occasions

[113] The Dead Sea which contains neither animal nor vegetable life

[114] The ancient Oxus

[115] A city of Transoxiana

[116] You never can cast your eyes on this tree but you meet there either blossoms or fruit and as the blossom drops underneath on the ground (which is frequently covered with these purple-colored flowers)others come forth in their stead etc --Nieuhoff

[117] The Demons of the Persian mythology

[118] Carreri mentions the fire-flies in India during the rainy season --See his Travels

[119] Sennacherib called by the Orientals King of Moussal --DHerbelot

[120] Chosroes For the description of his Throne or Palace see Gibbon and DHerbelot There were said to be under this Throne or Palace of Khosrou Parviz a hundred vaults filled withtreasures so immense that some Mahometan writers tell us their Prophet to encourage his disciplescarried them to a rock which at his command opened and gave them a prospect through it of the treasuresof Khosrou -- Universal History

[121] The crown of Gerashid is cloudy and tarnished before the heron tuft of thy turban --From one of the elegies or songs in praise of Ali written in characters of gold round the gallery of Abbass tomb --SeeChardin

[122] The beauty of Alis eyes was so remarkable that whenever the Persians would describe anything asvery lovely they say it is Ayn Hali or the Eyes of Ali --Chardin

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[123] Nakshab the name of a city in Transoxiana where they say there is a well in which theappearance of the moon is to be seen night and day

[124] The Shechinah called Sakinat in the Koran--See Sales Note chap ii

[125] The parts of the night are made known as well by instruments of music as by the rounds of thewatchmen with cries and small drums --See Burders Oriental Customs vol i p 119

[126] The Serrapurda high screens of red cloth stiffened with cane used to enclose a considerable spaceround the royal tents --Notes on the Bahardanush The tents of Princes were generally illuminated Norden tells us that the tent of the Bey of Girge wasdistinguished from the other tents by forty lanterns being suspended before it --See HarmersObservations on Job

[127] From the groves of orange trees at Kauzeroon the bees cull a celebrated honey --Moriers Travels

[128] A custom still subsisting at this day seems to me to prove that the Egyptians formerly sacrificed ayoung virgin to the God of the Nile for they now make a statue of earth in shape of a girl to which theygive the name of the Betrothed Bride and throw it into the river --Savary

[129] That they knew the secret of the Greek fire among the Mussulmans early in the eleventh centuryappears from Dows account of Mamood I When he at Moultan finding that the country of the Jits wasdefended by great rivers he ordered fifteen hundred boats to be built each of which he armed with sixiron spikes projecting from their prows and sides to prevent their being boarded by the enemy who werevery expert in that kind of war When he had launched this fleet he ordered twenty archers into each boatand five others with fire-balls to burn the craft of the Jits and naphtha to set the whole river on fire

[130] The Greek fire which was occasionally lent by the emperors to their allies It was says Gibboneither launched in red-hot balls of stone and iron or darted in arrows and javelins twisted round with

flax and tow which had deeply imbibed the inflammable oil [131] See Hanways Account of the Springs of Naphtha at Baku (which is called by Lieutenant Pottinger Joala Mookee or the Flaming Mouth) taking fire and running into the sea Dr Cooke in his Journal mentions some wells in Circassia strongly impregnated with this inflammable oil from which issues

boiling water Though the weather he adds was now very cold the warmth of these wells of hot water produced near them the verdure and flowers of spring

[132] At the great festival of fire called the Sheb Seze they used to set fire to large bunches of drycombustibles fastened round wild beasts and birds which being then let loose the air and earth appearedone great illumination and as these terrified creatures naturally fled to the woods for shelter it is easy toconceive the conflagrations they produced --Richardsons Dissertation

[133] The righteous shall be given to drink of pure wine sealed the seal whereof shall be musk -- Koran chap lxxxiii

[134] The Afghans believe each of the numerous solitudes and deserts of their country to be inhabited bya lonely demon whom they call The Ghoolee Beeaban or Spirit of the Waste They often illustrate thewildness of any sequestered tribe by saying they are wild as the Demon of the Waste --ElphinstonesCaubul

[135] They have all a great reverence for burial-grounds which they sometimes call by the poeticalname of Cities of the Silent and which they people with the ghosts of the departed who sit each at thehead of his own grave invisible to mortal eyes --Elphinstone

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[123] Nakshab the name of a city in Transoxiana where they say there is a well in which theappearance of the moon is to be seen night and day

[124] The Shechinah called Sakinat in the Koran--See Sales Note chap ii

[125] The parts of the night are made known as well by instruments of music as by the rounds of thewatchmen with cries and small drums --See Burders Oriental Customs vol i p 119

[126] The Serrapurda high screens of red cloth stiffened with cane used to enclose a considerable spaceround the royal tents --Notes on the Bahardanush The tents of Princes were generally illuminated Norden tells us that the tent of the Bey of Girge wasdistinguished from the other tents by forty lanterns being suspended before it --See HarmersObservations on Job

[127] From the groves of orange trees at Kauzeroon the bees cull a celebrated honey --Moriers Travels

[128] A custom still subsisting at this day seems to me to prove that the Egyptians formerly sacrificed ayoung virgin to the God of the Nile for they now make a statue of earth in shape of a girl to which theygive the name of the Betrothed Bride and throw it into the river --Savary

[129] That they knew the secret of the Greek fire among the Mussulmans early in the eleventh centuryappears from Dows account of Mamood I When he at Moultan finding that the country of the Jits wasdefended by great rivers he ordered fifteen hundred boats to be built each of which he armed with sixiron spikes projecting from their prows and sides to prevent their being boarded by the enemy who werevery expert in that kind of war When he had launched this fleet he ordered twenty archers into each boatand five others with fire-balls to burn the craft of the Jits and naphtha to set the whole river on fire

[130] The Greek fire which was occasionally lent by the emperors to their allies It was says Gibboneither launched in red-hot balls of stone and iron or darted in arrows and javelins twisted round with

flax and tow which had deeply imbibed the inflammable oil [131] See Hanways Account of the Springs of Naphtha at Baku (which is called by Lieutenant Pottinger Joala Mookee or the Flaming Mouth) taking fire and running into the sea Dr Cooke in his Journal mentions some wells in Circassia strongly impregnated with this inflammable oil from which issues

boiling water Though the weather he adds was now very cold the warmth of these wells of hot water produced near them the verdure and flowers of spring

[132] At the great festival of fire called the Sheb Seze they used to set fire to large bunches of drycombustibles fastened round wild beasts and birds which being then let loose the air and earth appearedone great illumination and as these terrified creatures naturally fled to the woods for shelter it is easy toconceive the conflagrations they produced --Richardsons Dissertation

[133] The righteous shall be given to drink of pure wine sealed the seal whereof shall be musk -- Koran chap lxxxiii

[134] The Afghans believe each of the numerous solitudes and deserts of their country to be inhabited bya lonely demon whom they call The Ghoolee Beeaban or Spirit of the Waste They often illustrate thewildness of any sequestered tribe by saying they are wild as the Demon of the Waste --ElphinstonesCaubul

[135] They have all a great reverence for burial-grounds which they sometimes call by the poeticalname of Cities of the Silent and which they people with the ghosts of the departed who sit each at thehead of his own grave invisible to mortal eyes --Elphinstone

-- back to LALLA ROOKH index page -- FWPs main page --

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