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So Alroy and Schirene entered the serail. An immense cresset-lamp, fed with perfumed oil, threw a soft light round the sumptuous chamber. At the end stood a row of eunuchs in scarlet dresses, and each holding a tall silver staff.
She flung herself upon his neck. Alroy faintly returned her embrace, and bore her to a couch. He clapped his hands, and two soldiers entered and bore away the corpse. 'The pavilion, Schirene, is now fitter for thy presence. Rest thyself; I shall soon return. Thus speaking, he quitted her. He quitted her; but her humbled look of sorrowful mortification pierced to his heart.
This form, I fear it has lost its lustre, but still 'tis thine, and once thou saidst thou lovedst it; this form was to have been hacked and mangled; this ivory bosom was to have been ripped up and tortured, and this warm blood, that flows alone for thee, that fell Jabaster was to pour its tide upon the altar of his ancient vengeance. He ever hated me! 'Jabaster! Schirene!
'I would so too; and yet I love to see all Asia prostrate at the feet of Alroy. 'Will the sun never set? Give me thy hand to play with. 'Hush! See, Miriam smiles. 'Lovest thou my sister, my own Schirene? 'None dearer but thyself. 'Talk not of my sister, but ourselves. Thinkest thou the sun is nearer setting, love? 'I cannot see; thine eyes they dazzle me, they are so brilliant, sweet!
What, slay Alroy! my joy, my only life! Ah! woe is me; our bright felicity hath fled for ever! 'Not so, sweet child; we are but as we were. A few quick hours, and all will be as bright as if no storm had crossed our sunny days. 'Hast seen Asriel? He says such fearful things! 'How now? 'Ah me! I am desolate. I have no friend. 'Schirene! 'They will have my blood.
He had made a speech according to the advice and instructions of his councillors, who had assured him that the tone he adopted would induce Alroy to confess all that he required, and especially to vindicate the reputation of the Princess Schirene, who had already contrived to persuade Alp Arslan that she was the most injured of her sex.
Alroy, finding it was all over, rushed to his pavilion at the head of about three hundred of the guards, seized the fainting Schirene, threw her before him on his saddle, and cutting his way through all obstacles, dashed into the desert. For eight-and-forty hours they never stopped. Their band was soon reduced one-third.
At twilight she steals forth for the poor relaxation of my society, to listen to the intelligence which I acquire during the day in disguise. The history, sire, is short and simple. We are in your power: but instead of deprecating your interference, I now solicit your protection. 'Dear Honain, 'tis needless. The Princess Schirene has only to express a wish that it may be fulfilled.
Summon the household. Order all to arms. Speed, for our lives! The whole palace was now roused. Alroy delivered Esther, exhausted, and apparently senseless, to a guard of eunuchs. Slaves and attendants poured in from all directions. Soon arrived Schirene, with dishevelled hair and hurried robes, attended by a hundred maidens, each bearing a torch. 'My soul, what ails thee?
'I am indeed that Alroy to whom destiny has delivered the empire of thy sire; but the Princess Schirene can have nothing to fear from one who values above all his victories this memorial of her goodwill; and he took from his breast a rosary of pearls and emeralds, and, rising slowly, left it in her trembling hand.
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