United States or Libya ? Vote for the TOP Country of the Week !
And as Azarque forward rides, as in retreat he flies, "Now, Allah guard thee, gallant knight," with shouts the people cries. "My curse upon him; he shall die," the jealous King replies. But Celindaja paid no heed to all that cavalcade; Her lips were parched, her throat was dry, her heart was sore dismayed.
She asked that they would bring her fruit, but yet she strove in vain With juice of any earthly tree to slake her fevered pain. "Now let the sport be ended," the angry King decreed. The joust was late, and every judge in weariness agreed. And as they closed the empty lists, they heard the King's command, "Now seize, now seize Azarque, a traitor to this land."
These are but empty braggarts, but prowlers of the night, Cut-throats and needy idlers and so the tumult ends Azarque lies in prison, forsaken by his friends. For, ah, both arms and reason powerless prove To turn the purpose of a king in love. Alone does Celindaja the coward crowd implore, "Oh, save him, save him, generous friends, give back to me my Moor."
Then Celindaja, white with rage: "Go to the King and say I choose to be my prison-house for many and many a day, The memory of Azarque, in which henceforth I live: But the treachery of a monarch my heart will not forgive. For the will of one weak woman shall never powerless prove To turn the foolish purpose of a king who is in love.
And he called the warden of his keep, Celin his henchman tried, And he pointed to Azarque, and, flushed with anger, cried "The sun upon that haughty shield myself will bid it set; It works some mischief upon me, like an evil amulet." Azarque drew his ready lance, his strong arm hurled it high, The light shaft soared amid the clouds, and vanished in the sky.
The other band came forth to save Azarque from his foes, But the stout Moor waves his hand to them ere they in battle close. Then calmly cries: "Tho' love, it seems, has no respect for law, 'Tis right that ye keep peace to-day and from the lists withdraw!
Word Of The Day