And scarce in sight th' approaching prince appears,
When each his mace with threat'ning gesture rears;
They clash their golden shields, and lift on high
A shout that shakes the mountains and the sky.
Mobarrek seiz'd the prince's arm and spoke,
'Stand, nor inevitable death provoke.

'Around us, lo, what magic lines I trace.
'Dare not to pass beyond this guarded space.
'Here must my lips the mighty charm rehearse,
The solemn call, the high mysterious verse,
'Which may propitiate (may the prophet lend
'His gracious aid, and still my lord defend)

The awful sovereign of the fairy reign.'

He said, and chanted forth the potent strain.

And scarce had ceas'd, when earthquake rock'd the ground,

And thunder roll'd, in peals on peals, around;

Sulphureous flashes rive the knotted oak,

Hurl down the rocks, and make the mountains smoke;

And such an horrid cry is heard in air,

Scarce the last trumpet shall more terror bear.

The storm subsides at length, and zephyr greets
The sense with soft breath and ambrosial sweets;
Shines forth the golden sun, and nature wears
Her brightest dress. The fairy king appears.
So radiant, with such heav'nly beauty bright,
Descended from beside the throne of light
The angel Gabriel, oracles to bring

To Mecca's prophet from th' eternal King.
Gracious the fairy smil'd, but mortal eye
Scarce could sustain his glorious majesty.
He spoke. The king confessed unwonted fear,
For though the sound melodious met the ear,

Yet more than human was his awful voice.

'Be welcome, prince, and bid thy soul rejoice.

The Statue, object of thy fond desire,

My love bestows. But hear what I require.

'Go search the spacious earth. When thou shalt find A maid of faultless form, and spotless mind, 'Who fifteen years has number'd, and most fair

Of earthly dames, with Houries might compare,

'So chaste of soul, that never wish of love

'Her virgin breast with transient warmth could move, 'Yet mild as balmy Eve, when she renews

'The languid earth with soft descending dews;

'Her shalt thou woo, and, though her price should drain

'Thy kingdom's treasures, her thou must obtain.

'The maid in beauty, and in mind, divine

'I claim; the Statue, this perform'd, is thine.

'Easy thou deem'st the task. Now hear, with awe,

‹ This solemn, stern, irrevocable law.

'If negligent, or by fair shews misled,

'Thou bring to share the honours of my bed,

'One but in thought impure, ye perish both!

'With Eblis be my doom,

'Hear more and tremble.

if vain my oath!

Urg'd by youthful fire,

'If on my bride thou fix one loose desire,

(To me the inmost heart is still display'd,) 'My kindled wrath, my fiercest vengeance dread.' To whom the king. 'Oh spirit, thine to scan

'The secret thought, the hidden soul of man :

'But how shall mortal sense unerring view

'The female breast, and false discern from true?'

The lofty genius smil'd, and here, he cry'd,

Behold thy weak imperfect sense supplied.

This mirror, fram'd in planetary hour,

' (Be but the heart sincere which tries its pow'r,) 'Whatever fault the conscious maid conceal,

• Shall, in clear vision, to thy sight reveal.' The king receiv'd the charm, and nothing loth, Pronounc'd the dread, inviolable oath.

Full of one wish, to all the future blind,

His heart was stupid, and obscur'd his mind.
Scarce had he said when boding fears arose,

Presaging signals of impending woes.

His father's spirit seem'd to hover near,

And sighs and moanings sounded in his ear.