May pierce ere then some vital part           

             I fear!           

                        

            

            

       XX.     

 On reading in Savary's Travels the death of Ali Bey, who, it is there represented, in the midst of enlightened and benevolent efforts to benefit his country, was repeatedly betrayed, and at length taken captive by his brother-in-law, whom he had advanced and loved, and who, till the very last, he could not believe to be his enemy.     

             O generous Ali! while thy fate inspires Indignant pity, with a patriot's fires, I mourn for Egypt, and with equal zeal, For her, for thee, and ruin'd science feel:             Admire the confidence my heart deplores And blame the weakness it almost adores!           

                        

             Pride of thy race! before my mental eyes, I see thee, like another Alfred rise; See honour splendent on thy ample brow, While Thought and Genius fill the orbs below; Those beaming orbs! where lofty sweetness shone, And where the soul sate smiling on her throne:             Depriv'd too soon of that benignant ray, Which impious Dahab shudder'd to survey. Pale, bleeding, conquer'd, dying, and forlorn, I see thee view the wretch with silent scorn! See thy cheek flush at the false tears he shed, And proudly turn away the languid head, With mingled anger, sorrow, and disdain, That he should dare to tempt thy love again!           

                        

             Oh! yet within the tent I see thee lie, The victor, like a coward, crouching by; O'erawed, rebuked, and humbled in the hour, The plenitude of his success and power! A pain the guilty never make us 

 Prev. P 34/47 next