We'll amble where the stream, my sweet,
And ocean's tides so loving meet;
Then, side by side, our garments lave,
Cool'd by the breeze and rippling ware.".
With that he takes the filthy pack,
And trudges with it on his back:
Arriv'd-their dirty toil began;
He seeks a blessing on his plan;
For mortals do not nicely weigh
The odd events for which they pray;
Encourag'd by success, no doubt,
As in this instance it fell out.
His wife-poor soul, for of the fair
Still may I speak with tend'rest care.
Stooping, a truant rag to gain,
He tumbled headlong in the main.
That business done, the man was bound
Safety to seek on other ground.
As light of heart he tripp'd along,
Drowning the nightingale's sweet song,
One morn there rose before his eyes
A Genie of enormous size;
Whose head, while firm on earth he stood,
The clouds encompass'd like a hood.
With fearful grasp he seiz'd our friend,
And swore his wicked life to end:
Yet, mercy temper'd still his breath
The wretch might choose the kind of death.
Say, shall I tear thy entrails out?
Or strew thy mangl'd limbs about?
Here batter on the rocks thy brain? Or hurl thee headlong in the main?" "And will my lord," the man replied, "His errors from his servants hide?For into errors, doom'd to all,
Thy slave, most frail, must doubtless fall:-
But suffer me, dread sir, to swear
To me unknown, as yet, they are."
"Unknown!" the Genie cried, "unknown!
Was not that hag, that shrivell'd crone,
That with her carcass curs'd the sea,
Speak, was she not flung there by thee?
Wretch! did she not from our lov'd waves,
Our coral groves and pearly caves,
Me and my tribe to flight constrain,
By clamours that outroar'd the main ?"
Ha! thought the man, upon my life,
He means that wrinkled witch, my wife.
"What! have you fled? and is it just
To punish my poor mortal dust,
For quitting that infernal fair,
Whose tongue not even you could bear."
The Genie answered: "Right in sooth,"
(For man alone is deaf to truth)
"Thour't right: I'll henceforth be thy friend,
Thy fortune and thy steps attend."
On evils past now either smil'd, And social chat the way beguil'd: At length a city they descry,
Whose turrets proudly pierce the sky;
O'er which, so bounteous Heav'n ordain'd,
A prince, in peace and wisdom, reign'd.
Enter'd the gates,—a busy crew
Their anxious daily toil pursue :
A different pang each bosom rends,
A faithless wife, insidious friends,
Disease, and meagre want, and strife-
Yet each still fondly clings to life:
On the new day their hopes they cast,
More big with sorrow than the last.-
So hope to me delight hath grown,
Who, little else but care have known.
Of thee, my first born joy bereft,
Hope fills the void thy absence left;
Hope breathes the gale must waft thee home,
And boast a bliss that ner'e may come!
But soft my heart! affection reign;
My tale demands a gayer strain.
"Now rest a while, or lend an ear-
Suppose I make thee vizier here,"
The Genie said.-" A vizier? me!"
Replied the man, "it cannot be !"
"What, doubt my power?-Ere gloomy night,
The sun shall ravish from our sight,
Thou shalt be vizier: I have said,
So listen to the plan I've laid.
A serpent, fearful to behold,
The royal maiden I'll unfold;
With double head, spout baleful breath,
A double sting shall threaten death;
Four eyes in lightning glare arround,
The week appal, the strong confound;
And should the nation join'd, assay
To tear from me my trembling prey,
"Twere vain;-when now, with terror chill,
The Sultan shall proclaim his will;
Who wrests her from the spiral snare,
In wedlock shall enjoy the fair.
The palace then, my friend draw near,
And rob'd, a reverend sheik appear.
Engage the monster, then, to chace,
And snatch her from the loath'd embrace.
At thy approach, with feign'd dismay,
Like melted snow I'll glide away."
Each strange event in order pass'd,
Just as the Genie had forecast,
The crier proclaims-" The princess' life
Who saves, shall press a royal wife."
The man disguis'd, a sheik appears,
The Haram enters :-bath'd in tears
A beauteous maiden he beholds
Within a serpent's deadly folds;
Who seeing him, pretends dismay,
And glides like melted snow away.
O blest, such beauty born to save,
As from the bosom of the grave!
The princess pale and trembling rose,
And muttering prayers, her terrors close.
At night the festive torches glare,
And Hymen's couch receives the fair;
Next morn behold before him stands
His giant friend-he kiss'd his hands.
A favour now 'tis mine to sue.' "Good." said the man, " and were it two." "Know then, within this passing hour, By love impell'd, almighty power, Who racks a Genie's heart with pain, Or rages in a mortal's vein;
Know, 'tis my purpose to entwine
The vizier's daughter, made divine !
Presume not thou relief to lend,
Or forfeit both thy life and friend.”
"I lend relief!" the man replied-
"Go, and good fortune be your guide.”
Loud tumult rose; fear fills each breast, And shrieks announce the serpent blest. The tidings reach the Sultan's ear— "Patience," he cried, "and nothing fear; My son, the sheik, hath power, we know, To chase from hence this hateful foe, Seek him in haste."-In haste they ran, And quickly found the gifted man; The Sultan's will declare, who pray'd, He'd strait release the snake-bound maid.. "Release! you sure might understand I've others matters now on handI dare not, cannot, will not go; This is my wedding morn you know: Besides, good folks, I've lost the skill, And with it, somewhat lost the will Must I serve ever at a pinch? No, bang me if I stir an inch!"
|