Page:Lalla Rookh - Moore - 1817.djvu/82

 But in that deep-blue, melancholy dress. BOKHARA'S maidens wear in mindfulness Of friends or kindred, dead or far away;-- And such as ZELICA had on that day He left her--when with heart too full to speak He took away her last warm tears upon his cheek.

A strange emotion stirs within him,--more Than mere compassion ever waked before; Unconsciously he opes his arms while she Springs forward as with life's last energy, But, swooning in that one convulsive bound, Sinks ere she reach his arms upon the ground;-- Her veil falls off--her faint hands clasp his knees-- 'Tis she herself!--it is ZELICA he sees! But, ah, so pale, so changed--none but a lover Could in that wreck of beauty's shrine discover The once adorned divinity--even he Stood for some moments mute, and doubtingly Put back the ringlets from her brow, and gazed Upon those lids where once such lustre blazed,