In his base duty ever zealous,

Escape is hopeless to the fair

From ear so keen and eye so jealous.

He ruled the harem, order reigned

Eternal there; the trusted treasure

He watched with loyalty unfeigned,

His only law his chieftain's pleasure,

Which as the Koran he maintained.

His soul love's gentle flame derides,

And like a statue he abides

Hatred, contempt, reproaches, jests,

Nor prayers relax his temper rigid,

Nor timid sighs from tender breasts,

To all alike the wretch is frigid.

He knows how woman's sighs can melt,

Freeman and bondman he had felt

Her art in days when he was younger;

Her silent tear, her suppliant look,

Which once his heart confiding shook,

Now move not,--he believes no longer!

When, to relieve the noontide heat,

The captives go their limbs to lave,

And in sequestered, cool retreat

Yield all their beauties to the wave,

No stranger eye their charms may greet,

But their strict guard is ever nigh,

Viewing with unimpassioned eye

These beauteous daughters of delight;

He constant, even in gloom of night,

Through the still harem cautious stealing,

Silent, o'er carpet-covered floors,

And gliding through half-opened doors,

From couch to couch his pathway feeling,

With envious and unwearied care