“Yes, my sworn bride, let others seek in bowers “Their bridal place—the charnel vault was ours! “Instead of scents and balms, for thee and me “Rose the rich steams of sweet mortality; “Gay, flickering death-lights shone while we were wed, “And, for our guests, a row of goodly Dead. “(Immortal spirits in their time, no doubt,) “From reeking shrouds upon the rite look’d out! “That oath thou heard’st more lips than thine repeat— “That cup—thou shudd’rest, Lady,—was it sweet? “That cup we pledg’d, the charnel’s choicest wine, “Hath bound thee—ay—body and soul all mine; “Bound thee by chains that, whether blest or curst “No matter now, not hell itself shall burst! “Hence, woman, to the Haram, and look gay, “Look wild, look—any thing but sad; yet stay— “One moment more—from what this night hath pass’d, “I see thou know’st me, know’st me _well_ at last. “Ha! ha! and so, fond thing, thou thought’st all true, “And that I love mankind?—I do, I do— “As victims, love them; as the sea-dog doats “Upon the small, sweet fry that round him floats; “Or, as the Nile-bird loves the slime that gives “That rank and venomous food on which she lives![57]— “And, now thou seest my _soul’s_ angelic hue, “’Tis time these _features_ were uncurtain’d too;— “This brow, whose light—oh rare celestial light! “Hath been reserv’d to bless thy favour’d sight; “These dazzling eyes, before whose shrouded might “Thou’st seen immortal Man kneel down and quake— “Would that they _were_ heaven’s lightnings for his sake! “But turn and look—then wonder, if thou wilt, “That I should hate, should take revenge, by guilt, “Upon the hand, whose mischief or whose mirth “Sent me thus maim’d and monstrous upon earth; “And on that race who, though more vile they be “Than mowing apes, are demi-gods to me! “Here—judge if hell, with all its power to damn, “Can add one curse to the foul thing I am!” He raised his veil—the Maid turn’d slowly round, Look’d at him—shriek’d—and sunk upon the ground! ------------------------------------------------------------------------ On their arrival, next night, at the place of encampment, they were surprised and delighted to find the groves all around illuminated; some artists of Yamtcheou[58] having been sent on previously for the purpose. On each side of the green alley, which led to the Royal Pavilion, artificial sceneries of bamboo-work[59] were erected, representing arches, minarets, and towers, from which hung thousands of silken lanterns, painted by the most delicate pencils of Canton.—Nothing could be more beautiful than the leaves of the mango-trees and acacias, shining in the light of the bamboo-scenery, which shed a lustre round as soft as that of the nights of Peristan.