"What could I be? Proscribed at home, And taunted to a wish to roam; And listless left--for Giaffir's fear Denied the courser and the spear-- Though oft--Oh, Mahomet! how oft!-- In full Divan the despot scoffed, As if _my_ weak unwilling hand Refused the bridle or the brand: 810 He ever went to war alone, And pent me here untried--unknown; To Haroun's care with women left,[go] By hope unblest, of fame bereft, While thou--whose softness long endeared, Though it unmanned me, still had cheered-- To Brusa's walls for safety sent, Awaited'st there the field's event. Haroun who saw my spirit pining[gp] Beneath inaction's sluggish yoke, 820 His captive, though with dread resigning, My thraldom for a season broke, On promise to return before The day when Giaffir's charge was o'er. 'Tis vain--my tongue can not impart[gq] My almost drunkenness of heart,[169] When first this liberated eye Surveyed Earth--Ocean--Sun--and Sky-- As if my Spirit pierced them through, And all their inmost wonders knew! 830 One word alone can paint to thee That more than feeling--I was Free! E'en for thy presence ceased to pine; The World--nay, Heaven itself was mine! XIX. "The shallop of a trusty Moor Conveyed me from this idle shore; I longed to see the isles that gem Old Ocean's purple diadem: I sought by turns, and saw them all;[170] But when and where I joined the crew, 840 With whom I'm pledged to rise or fall, When all that we design to do Is done,'twill then be time more meet To tell thee, when the tale's complete. XX.