Page:The Works of Lord Byron (ed. Coleridge, Prothero) - Volume 3.djvu/287

CANTO II.] Dashed his high cap, and tore his robe away—

Shone his mailed breast, and flashed his sabre's ray!

His close but glittering casque, and sable plume,

More glittering eye, and black brow's sabler gloom,

Glared on the Moslems' eyes some Afrit Sprite,

Whose demon death-blow left no hope for fight.

The wild confusion, and the swarthy glow

Of flames on high, and torches from below;

The shriek of terror, and the mingling yell—

For swords began to clash, and shouts to swell—

Flung o'er that spot of earth the air of Hell!

Distracted, to and fro, the flying slaves

Behold but bloody shore and fiery waves;

Nought heeded they the Pacha's angry cry,

They seize that Dervise!—seize on Zatanai!

He saw their terror—checked the first despair

That urged him but to stand and perish there,

Since far too early and too well obeyed,

The flame was kindled ere the signal made;

He saw their terror—from his baldric drew

His bugle—brief the blast—but shrilly blew;

'Tis answered—"Well ye speed, my gallant crew!

Why did I doubt their quickness of career?

And deem design had left me single here?"

Sweeps his long arm—that sabre's whirling sway

Sheds fast atonement for its first delay;

Completes his fury, what their fear begun,

And makes the many basely quail to one.

The cloven turbans o'er the chamber spread,

And scarce an arm dare rise to guard its head:

Even Seyd, convulsed, o'erwhelmed, with rage, surprise,

Retreats before him, though he still defies.