Page:Oriental Sketches Dramatic Sketches and Tales.pdf/63

Rh

And from the towers the merry bell Or cittara's softer sounds were ringing. The passing boatman wondering gazed Where streaming o'er the midnight sky A thousand lamps and torches blazed, And bursts of joyous revelry Came o'er the breeze, from those bright halls Where, twining their gay coronals, Mid flowers, and lights, and eye-beams glancing, Shining in gold and gems and pearls, To music's thrilling notes advancing, A clustering troop of graceful girls Displayed before a raptured throng The witcheries of dance and song. Oh! not alone in festal hours Pleasure illumed those lofty towers; For there domestic happiness In all its holy beauty smiled, And love with innocent caress The bright winged sunny day beguiled—