Dauntless he stood--"'Tis come--soon past-- One kiss, Zuleika--'tis my last: But yet my band not far from shore May hear this signal, see the flash; Yet now too few--the attempt were rash: No matter--yet one effort more." 1000 Forth to the cavern mouth he stept; His pistol's echo rang on high, Zuleika started not, nor wept, Despair benumbed her breast and eye!-- "They hear me not, or if they ply Their oars,'tis but to see me die; That sound hath drawn my foes more nigh. Then forth my father's scimitar, Thou ne'er hast seen less equal war! Farewell, Zuleika!--Sweet! retire: 1010 Yet stay within--here linger safe, At thee his rage will only chafe. Stir not--lest even to thee perchance Some erring blade or ball should glance. Fear'st them for him?--may I expire If in this strife I seek thy sire! No--though by him that poison poured; No--though again he call me coward! But tamely shall I meet their steel? No--as each crest save _his_ may feel!" 1020 XXIV. One bound he made, and gained the sand: Already at his feet hath sunk The foremost of the prying band, A gasping head, a quivering trunk: Another falls--but round him close A swarming circle of his foes; From right to left his path he cleft, And almost met the meeting wave: His boat appears--not five oars' length-- His comrades strain with desperate strength-- 1030 Oh! are they yet in time to save? His feet the foremost breakers lave; His band are plunging in the bay, Their sabres glitter through the spray; Wet--wild--unwearied to the strand They struggle--now they touch the land! They come--'tis but to add to slaughter-- His heart's best blood is on the water. XXV.