THEY carried ladders for the escalade, And each was furnished with a tempered blade; No other thing embarrassing they'd got; No drums; but all was silent as the grot. THEY reached the house when nearly break of day, The time old Morpheus' slumbers often weigh; The gang, with few exceptions, (then asleep), Were sent, their vigils with grim death to keep. THE chief hung up:--the princess soon appeared; Her spirits presently our champion cheered; The pirate scarcely had her bosom moved:-- No tears at least a marked affection proved; But, by her prayers she pardon sought to gain, For some who were not in the conflict slain; Consoled the dying, and lamented those, Who, by the sword, had closed their book of woes: Then left the place without the least regret, Where such adventures and alarms she'd met. 'Tis said, indeed, she presently forgot The two gallants who last became her lot; And I can easily the fact believe: Removed from sight, but few for lovers grieve. SHE, by her neighbour, was received, we're told, 'Mid costly furniture and burnished gold; We may suppose what splendour shone around, When all-attracting he would fain be found; The best of wines; each dish considered rare:-- The gods themselves received not better fare: Till then, Alaciel ne'er had tasted wine; Her faith forbade a liquor so divine; And, unacquainted with the potent juice, She much indulged at table in its use. If lately LOVE disquieted her brain, New poison now pervaded ev'ry vein; Both fraught with danger to the beauteous FAIR, Whose charms should guarded be with ev'ry care. THE princess by the maids in bed was placed; Then thither went the host with anxious haste, What sought he? you will ask:--mere torpid charms:-- I wish the like were clasped within my arms. Give me as much, said one the other week, And see if I'd a neighbour's kindness seek. Through Morpheus' sleepy pow'r, and Bacchus' wine: Our host, at length, completed his design. ALACIEL, when at morn, she oped her eyes, Was quite o'ercome with terror and surprise, No tears would flow, and fear restrained her voice; Unable to resist, she'd got no choice. A NIGHT thus passed, the wily lover said, Must surely give a license to your bed. The princess thought the same; but our gallant, Soon cloyed, for other conquests 'gan to pant.