Page:The Works of Lord Byron (ed. Coleridge, Prothero) - Volume 3.djvu/282

250 This hath he sworn by Allah and his sword,

And faithful to his firman and his word,

His summoned prows collect along the coast,

And great the gathering crews, and loud the boast;

Already shared the captives and the prize,

Though far the distant foe they thus despise;

'Tis but to sail—no doubt to-morrow's Sun

Will see the Pirates bound—their haven won!

Meantime the watch may slumber, if they will,

Nor only wake to war, but dreaming kill.

Though all, who can, disperse on shore and seek

To flesh their glowing valour on the Greek;

How well such deed becomes the turbaned brave—

To bare the sabre's edge before a slave!

Infest his dwelling—but forbear to slay,

Their arms are strong, yet merciful to-day,

And do not deign to smite because they may!

Unless some gay caprice suggests the blow,

To keep in practice for the coming foe.

Revel and rout the evening hours beguile,

And they who wish to wear a head must smile;

For Moslem mouths produce their choicest cheer,

And hoard their curses, till the coast is clear.

II.

High in his hall reclines the turbaned Seyd;

Around—the bearded chiefs he came to lead.

Removed the banquet, and the last pilaff—

Forbidden draughts, 'tis said, he dared to quaff

Though to the rest the sober berry's juice

The slaves bear round for rigid Moslems' use;

The long chibouque's dissolving cloud supply,