Page:Works of Voltaire Volume 16.djvu/47

 Mahomet, 31 ACT II. SCENE I. SEID, PALMIRA. PALMIRA. Welcome, my Seid, do I see thee here Once more in safety? what propitious god Conducted thee? at length Palmira's woes Shall have an end, and we may yet be happy. SEID. Thou sweetest charmer, balm of every woe, Dear object of my wishes and my tears, since that day of blood when flushed with con- quest The fierce barbarian snatched thee from my arms, When midst a heap of slaughtered friends I lay Expiring on the ground, and called on death, But called in vain, to end my hated being, What have I suffered for my dear Palmira ! How have I cursed the tardy hours that long Withheld my vengeance ! my distracted soul's Impatience thirsted for the bloody field, That with these hands I might lay waste this seat Of slavery, where Palmira mourned so long In sad captivity ; but thanks to heaven ! Our holy prophet, whose deep purposes Are far beyond the ken of human wisdom, Hath hither sent his chosen servant Omar ; flew to meet him, they required a hostage ; I gave my faith, and they received it ; firm In my resolve to live or die for thee.