Page:The Works of Lord Byron (ed. Coleridge, Prothero) - Volume 3.djvu/316

284 To smite the smiter with the scimitar;

Such is my weapon—not the secret knife;

Who spares a Woman's seeks not Slumber's life.

Thine saved I gladly, Lady—not for this;

Let me not deem that mercy shown amiss.

Now fare thee well—more peace be with thy breast!

Night wears apace, my last of earthly rest!"

"Rest! rest! by sunrise must thy sinews shake,

And thy limbs writhe around the ready stake,

I heard the order—saw—I will not see—

If thou wilt perish, I will fall with thee.

My life—my love—my hatred—all below

Are on this cast—Corsair! 'tis but a blow!

Without it flight were idle—how evade

His sure pursuit?—my wrongs too unrepaid,

My youth disgraced—the long, long wasted years,

One blow shall cancel with our future fears;

But since the dagger suits thee less than brand,

I'll try the firmness of a female hand.

The guards are gained—one moment all were o'er—

Corsair! we meet in safety or no more;

If errs my feeble hand, the morning cloud

Will hover o'er thy scaffold, and my shroud."

IX.

She turned, and vanished ere he could reply,

But his glance followed far with eager eye;

And gathering, as he could, the links that bound

His form, to curl their length, and curb their sound,

Since bar and bolt no more his steps preclude,

He, fast as fettered limbs allow, pursued.