Not such the pageant now, though not less proud; Yon warrior youth, advancing from the crowd, With silver bow, with belt of broider’d crape, And fur-bound bonnet of Bucharian shape,[38] So fiercely beautiful in form and eye, Like war’s wild planet in a summer sky; That youth to-day,—a proselyte, worth hordes Of cooler spirits and less practis’d swords,— Is come to join, all bravery and belief, The creed and standard of the heaven-sent Chief. Though few his years, the West already knows Young AZIM’S fame;—beyond the’ Olympian snows, Ere manhood darken’d o’er his downy cheek, O’erwhelm’d in fight and captive to the Greek,[39] He linger’d there, till peace dissolv’d his chains;— Oh, who could, even in bondage, tread the plains Of glorious GREECE, nor feel his spirit rise Kindling within him? who, with heart and eyes, Could walk where Liberty had been, nor see The shining foot-prints of her Deity, Nor feel those godlike breathings in the air, Which mutely told her spirit had been there? Not he, that youthful warrior,—no, too well For his soul’s quiet work’d the’ awakening spell; And now, returning to his own dear land, Full of those dreams of good that, vainly grand, Haunt the young heart,—proud views of human-kind, Of men to Gods exalted and refin’d,— False views, like that horizon’s fair deceit, Where earth and heaven but _seem_, alas, to meet!— Soon as he heard an Arm Divine was rais’d To right the nations, and beheld, emblaz’d On the white flag MOKANNA’S host unfurl’d, Those words of sunshine, “Freedom to the World,” At once his faith, his sword, his soul obey’d The’ inspiring summons; every chosen blade That fought beneath that banner’s sacred text Seem’d doubly edg’d, for this world and the next; And ne’er did Faith with her smooth bandage bind Eyes more devoutly willing to be blind, In virtue’s cause;—never was soul inspir’d With livelier trust in what it most desir’d, Than his, the’ enthusiast there, who kneeling, pale With pious awe, before that Silver Veil, Believes the form, to which he bends his knee, Some pure, redeeming angel, sent to free This fetter’d world from every bond and stain, And bring its primal glories back again!