登陆注册
4708800000059

第59章

He hoped, indeed he thought, he could be sure Juan had not betray'd himself; in fact 'T was certain that his conduct had been pure, Because a foolish or imprudent act Would not alone have made him insecure, But ended in his being found out and sack'd, And thrown into the sea.- Thus Baba spoke Of all save Dudu's dream, which was no joke.

This he discreetly kept in the background, And talk'd away- and might have talk'd till now, For any further answer that he found, So deep an anguish wrung Gulbeyaz' brow:

Her cheek turn'd ashes, ears rung, brain whirl'd round, As if she had received a sudden blow, And the heart's dew of pain sprang fast and chilly O'er her fair front, like Morning's on a lily.

Although she was not of the fainting sort, Baba thought she would faint, but there he err'd-It was but a convulsion, which though short Can never be described; we all have heard, And some of us have felt thus 'all amort,'

When things beyond the common have occurr'd;-Gulbeyaz proved in that brief agony What she could ne'er express- then how should I?

She stood a moment as a Pythones Stands on her tripod, agonised, and full Of inspiration gather'd from distress, When all the heart-strings like wild horses pull The heart asunder;- then, as more or lees Their speed abated or their strength grew dull, She sunk down on her seat by slow degrees, And bow'd her throbbing head o'er trembling knees.

Her face declined and was unseen; her hair Fell in long tresses like the weeping willow, Sweeping the marble underneath her chair, Or rather sofa (for it was all pillow, A low soft ottoman), and black despair Stirr'd up and down her bosom like a billow, Which rushes to some shore whose shingles check Its farther course, but must receive its wreck.

Her head hung down, and her long hair in stooping Conceal'd her features better than a veil;

And one hand o'er the ottoman lay drooping, White, waxen, and as alabaster pale:

Would that I were a painter! to be grouping All that a poet drags into detail Oh that my words were colours! but their tints May serve perhaps as outlines or slight hints.

Baba, who knew by experience when to talk And when to hold his tongue, now held it till This passion might blow o'er, nor dared to balk Gulbeyaz' taciturn or speaking will.

At length she rose up, and began to walk Slowly along the room, but silent still, And her brow clear'd, but not her troubled eye;

The wind was down, but still the sea ran high.

She stopp'd, and raised her head to speak- but paused, And then moved on again with rapid pace;

Then slacken'd it, which is the march most caused By deep emotion:- you may sometimes trace A feeling in each footstep, as disclosed By Sallust in his Catiline, who, chased By all the demons of all passions, show'd Their work even by the way in which he trode.

Gulbeyaz stopp'd and beckon'd Baba:- 'Slave!

Bring the two slaves!' she said in a low tone, But one which Baba did not like to brave, And yet he shudder'd, and seem'd rather prone To prove reluctant, and begg'd leave to crave (Though he well knew the meaning) to be shown What slaves her highness wish'd to indicate, For fear of any error, like the late.

'The Georgian and her paramour,' replied The imperial bride- and added, 'Let the boat Be ready by the secret portal's side:

You know the rest.' The words stuck in her throat, Despite her injured love and fiery pride;

And of this Baba willingly took note, And begg'd by every hair of Mahomet's beard, She would revoke the order he had heard.

'To hear is to obey,' he said; 'but still, Sultana, think upon the consequence:

It is not that I shall not all fulfil Your orders, even in their severest sense;

But such precipitation may end ill, Even at your own imperative expense:

I do not mean destruction and exposure, In case of any premature disclosure;

'But your own feelings. Even should all the rest Be hidden by the rolling waves, which hide Already many a once love-beaten breast Deep in the caverns of the deadly tide-You love this boyish, new, seraglio guest, And if this violent remedy be tried-Excuse my freedom, when I here assure you, That killing him is not the way to cure you.'

'What dost thou know of love or feeling?- Wretch!

Begone!' she cried, with kindling eyes- 'and do My bidding!' Baba vanish'd, for to stretch His own remonstrance further he well knew Might end in acting as his own 'Jack Ketch;'

And though he wish'd extremely to get through This awkward business without harm to others, He still preferr'd his own neck to another's.

Away he went then upon his commission, Growling and grumbling in good Turkish phrase Against all women of whate'er condition, Especially sultanas and their ways;

Their obstinacy, pride, and indecision, Their never knowing their own mind two days, The trouble that they gave, their immorality, Which made him daily bless his own neutrality.

And then he call'd his brethren to his aid, And sent one on a summons to the pair, That they must instantly be well array'd, And above all be comb'd even to a hair, And brought before the empress, who had made Inquiries after them with kindest care:

At which Dudu look'd strange, and Juan silly;

But go they must at once, and will I- nill I.

And here I leave them at their preparation For the imperial presence, wherein whether Gulbeyaz show'd them both commiseration, Or got rid of the parties altogether, Like other angry ladies of her nation,-Are things the turning of a hair or feather May settle; but far be 't from me to anticipate In what way feminine caprice may dissipate.

I leave them for the present with good wishes, Though doubts of their well doing, to arrange Another part of history; for the dishes Of this our banquet we must sometimes change;

And trusting Juan may escape the fishes, Although his situation now seems strange And scarce secure, as such digressions are fair, The Muse will take a little touch at warfare.

同类推荐
  • Told After Supper

    Told After Supper

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。汇聚授权电子版权。
  • 董妃哀册

    董妃哀册

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。汇聚授权电子版权。
  • Sir Thomas More

    Sir Thomas More

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。汇聚授权电子版权。
  • 无趣老人语录

    无趣老人语录

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。汇聚授权电子版权。
  • 知空蕴禅师语录

    知空蕴禅师语录

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。汇聚授权电子版权。
热门推荐
  • 胖妞寻爱记

    胖妞寻爱记

    徐翩翩原本是一个貌美如花的美人,只因大一那一场情伤,徐翩翩开始暴饮暴食,三年后变成了彻头彻尾的胖妞……看小胖妞如何收获自己的爱情!
  • 医心帖

    医心帖

    刘希彦所著的《医心帖》所收散文,提倡快乐生活。作者写理想的生活、事业、快乐,还写了应该爱自己、养生的误区、读《红楼梦》的心得,并用诗意笔触写了菊花、梅花、蔷薇、海棠等等大自然的美好景物。作者从生活中的快乐与误区,大自然的奇妙和多姿多彩领悟人生的道理。作者秉承简单即快乐的观点,提倡亲近自然,让生命慢下来,随时随地享受触手可及的快乐。
  • 王的试炼

    王的试炼

    懒惰,悲伤,嫉妒,色欲,傲慢,贪婪,暴食,以及无。八位王的候选人已经到齐,谁会成为王?世界又将被他们如何的玩弄?男主角陈幻:“啊嘞?为什么我只是打手?为什么我不是龙傲天?”L:“龙傲天?那是你队友啊。”陈幻:“what?”
  • 草叶集(中小学生必读丛书)

    草叶集(中小学生必读丛书)

    美国现代诗歌之父沃尔特·惠特曼是十九世纪著名的诗人、人文主义者。由于早年受到民主主义者托马斯·潘恩和爱默生的深远影响。1839年起,他开始进行文学创作。1850年,开始在报纸上发表自由诗,表达自己对大自然的热爱和自由民主生活的赞颂。
  • 曾国藩的做人之道

    曾国藩的做人之道

    本书主要阐述了曾国藩一生大智若愚的为人处世哲学,以及在困厄中求出路,在苦斗中求坚挺,崇尚“好汉打脱牙和血吞”的人格魅力;揭示了他在官场上善于编织关系网,在权力面前保持一颗平常心,并懂得放权用权的成功之道;呈现了他在关键时刻远权避祸,在权力太大、功名事业日趋全盛的时候,不把弓拉得太圆太满的做人智慧。
  • 慢下来的幸福:别让聪明阻挡了快乐

    慢下来的幸福:别让聪明阻挡了快乐

    "亚里士多德曾经说过:“幸福是生命本身的意图和意义,是人类存在的目标和终点。”我们整日在浮躁现实中奔忙,追求的最终归宿正是幸福。然而每当被问及是否幸福这个问题,却鲜少有人会给出肯定的答案。在许多人眼中,幸福等同于财富、权利、地位,因此,只有足够聪明的成功人士才称得上幸福。殊不知,在通往幸福的道路上,聪明并无法帮我们找寻捷径,有时甚至还会成为阻碍幸福的“绊脚石
  • 三国斩将

    三国斩将

    新书《别动我的三国》已经发布东汉末年,董卓乱朝纲,幽州一村中少年刘策,走出村子,在这乱世之中,由一个兵卒开始,一步一步,成为一方诸侯的故事。三国这个历史上最为璀璨的时代,一群英雄应时而起,他们在这个时代留下了他们的印记,刘策见证了改变时代的笔墨,也留下刘策一笔。(非穿越,非金手指)
  • 庶香门第

    庶香门第

    苦读数年,终成硕士。一朝穿越,竟变庶女。前世名校优生,今生名门弱女。敛光华,藏锋芒,保生活,求清静,怎料这书香门第亦是纷争无数麻烦不断。姨娘暗害,嫡姐设计,身败名裂……反击,是一定滴!态度必须是温和滴!手段绝对是狠戾滴!她以温和的手段狠狠反击了一把,接下来就是……嫁人?嫁给谁?能不能自选?这是个严峻的问题。*******************************
  • 重生之嗜血魔医

    重生之嗜血魔医

    前世,苏婉清看着挚友为了保护自己惨死在自己面前,自己却无能为力。重来一世,发现好友惨死不是意外而是阴谋。她发誓,自己一定会手刃仇人。从此,江湖上多了一个性情古怪神秘莫测的魔医,人人都说魔医冷酷无情,残忍嗜血。可只有她自己知道,这一世自己经历了什么……直到有一天,他说:你是这个世界上最有情有义的人。
  • 凤归巢

    凤归巢

    此文属家斗,种田,豪门,狭长杏眼的莫府嫡长女无娘无爱,老爹的小妾要强嫁她掌控在手,搓圆捏扁还要占有她娘的嫁妆,穿越到此的同名小人物莫小双如何受得,爆脾气加上不服输当真要在莫府风生水起,竟赢得美男个个顾盼流连,你来我往小双如何应对,你方提亲我跟后,却不知世态炎凉,一场婚姻嫁取,惹出许多寒心变故,罢了罢了,就算不嫁,也不能在莫府守着如狼似虎的小妾异妹,那就让老爹再取,气死小妾,让美男心疼,爬地哀嚎,“双儿啊,嫁我吧!”稍带着种上几田薄田买上几件铺面,分分茶,下下棋,偶尔在道观谈谈天,谈谈地,有美男道:“双儿啊!你是我的,就算分分茶下下棋,也是要回家侍候夫君的!”莫小双终于两眼一翻道:“什么夫君?你明媒正取过我吗?”%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%片断一双儿对姨娘道:“姨娘啊,你那屋子里摆着我娘的嫁妆物件,你是不是还回来的好?你知道不知道,小妾私自拿正夫人的东西,视同偷盗,是要被送官的!”姨娘道:“凭什么,那是老爷送给我的!”双儿道:“那老爷就是家贼,你就是外鬼!来人啊,从今往后我,我们兄妹三人就在姨娘这里过活了,姨娘你是给我们布菜呢,还是给我们守门呢?”片断二双儿挺着大肚子道:“爷,你要男孩,还是女孩?”男主道:“双儿,咱自然是要男孩子,咱就生一个男孩好了,以后就不用这么幸苦!”双儿道:“那要是你娘不同意,给你寒几个丫头怎么办?”男主扶着双儿道:“双儿,咱就让她们给咱宝宝洗尿布!给咱们倒洗脚水!”双儿白了一眼道:“那要是皇上给你几个美娇娘呢?”男主大度地说道:“这还不好办,让她们做咱们的义女,给咱多招几个女婿,让他们养活咱一家三口!”