THE SLAVE

He waited till within her tower

Her taper signalled him the hour.

He was a prince both fair and brave.—

What hope that he would love her slave!

He of the Persian dynasty;

And she a Queen of Araby!—

No Peri singing to a star

Upon the sea were lovelier....

I helped her drop the silken rope.

He clomb, aflame with love and hope.

I drew the dagger from my gown

And cut the ladder, leaning down.

Oh, wild his face, and wild the fall:

Her cry was wilder than them all.

I heard her cry; I heard him moan;

And stood as merciless as stone.

The eunuchs came: fierce scimitars

Stirred in the torch-lit corridors.

She spoke like one who speaks in sleep,

And bade me strike or she would leap.

I bade her leap: the time was short:

And kept the dagger for my heart.

She leapt.... I put their blades aside,

And smiling in their faces — died.