ON THE CAPTURE OF JERUSALEM, IN THE FIRST CRUSADE.

ON THE CAPTURE OF JERUSALEM,  IN THE FIRST CRUSADE.

 

BY ALMODHAFER ALABIWERDY.

FROM our distended eyeballs flow

 A mingled stream of tears and blood;

 Nor care we feel, nor wish we know,

 But who shall pour the largest flood.

But what defence can tears afford?

 What aid supply in this dread hour?

 When, kindled by the sparkling sword,

 War's raging flames the land devour!

No more let sleep's seductive charms

 Upon your torpid souls be shed:

 A crash like this, such dire alarms,

 Might burst the slumbers of the dead.

Think where your dear companions lie--

 Survey their fate, and hear their woes:

 How some through trackless deserts fly,

 Some in the vulture's maw repose;

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While some, more wretched still, must bear

 The tauntings of a Christian's tongue;--

 Hear this--and blush ye not to wear

 The silken robe of peace so long?

Remember what ensanguined showers

 The Syrian plains with crimson dyed;

 And think how many blooming flowers

 In Syrian forts their beauties hide.

Arabian youths! in such a cause

 Can ye the voice of glory slight?

 Warriors of Persia! Can ye pause,

 Or fear to mingle in the fight?

If neither piety nor shame

 Your breasts can warm, your souls can move,

 Let emulation's bursting flame

 Wake you to Vengeance and to Love!

THE INCONSISTENT

TO A LADY, UPON HER REFUSAL OF A PRESENT OF MELONS, AND HER REJECTION OF THE

ADDRESSES OF AN ADMIRER.

Translated into English Verse by J. D. Carlyle, BD

When I sent you my melons, you cried out with scorn,

   "They ought to be heavy, and wrinkled, and yellow:"

 When I offered myself, whom those graces adorn,

   You flouted, and called me an ugly old fellow!

A SERENADE TO HIS SLEEPING MISTRESS

BY ALI BEN ABD ALGANY, OF CORDOVA.

Translated into English Verse by J. D. Carlyle, BD

Sure Harut's * potent spells were breathed

   Upon that magic sword, thine eye;

 For if it wounds us thus while sheathed,

   When drawn 'tis vain its edge to fly.

How canst thou doom me, cruel fair,

   Plunged in the hell ** of scorn, to groan?

 No idol e'er this heart could share

   This heart has worshipped thee alone.

Footnotes:

* A wicked angel, who is permitted to tempt mankind by teaching them magic: see the legend respecting him in Sale's Koran.

** The poet here alludes to the punishments denounced in the Koran against those who worship a plurality of gods: "their couch shall be in hell, and over them shall be coverings of fire." Sur. 2.