Page:The Works of Lord Byron (ed. Coleridge, Prothero) - Volume 2.djvu/169

CANTO II.] LVI.

He passed the sacred Haram's silent tower,

And underneath the wide o'erarching gate

Surveyed the dwelling of this Chief of power,

Where all around proclaimed his high estate.

Amidst no common pomp the Despot sate,

While busy preparation shook the court,

Slaves, eunuchs, soldiers, guests, and santons wait;

Within, a palace, and without, a fort:

Here men of every clime appear to make resort.

LVII.

Richly caparisoned, a ready row

Of arméd horse, and many a warlike store,

Circled the wide-extending court below;

Above, strange groups adorned the corridore;

And oft-times through the area's echoing door

Some high-capped Tartar spurred his steed away:

The Turk—the Greek—the Albanian—and the Moor,

Here mingled in their many-hued array,

While the deep war-drum's sound announced the close of day.