Glen Collection of printed music > Printed text > Charms of melody, or, Siren medley

BALLADS ANCIENT and modern, L'EGENDARIES, &c.
The Princefs and the Slave.
WHERE fragrant breezes figh'd through orange
bowers.
And fpringing fountains cool'd tlie air with fiiowers.
From pomp retired, and noon-tide's burning ray,
The fair, the royal Nouronihar lay.
The <fups of rofes, newly-cropp'd, were fpread
Her lovelv limbs beneath, and o'er her head
Imprifon'd nightingales artured their throats.
And luU'd the princef's with melodious notes.
Here roll'd a lucid ftream its gentle wave
With fcarce heard murmur ; while a Georgian flave
Placed near tlie couch with feathers in her hand,
The laity's panting breaft in filence fann'd.
And chafed the infec'^s, who prefumed to feek
Their b nquet on the beauty's glowing cheek.
This fla.e, a mild and fimple maid was (he,
Of common form, and born of low degree,
Whofe only charms were fmiles, devoid of art,
Whofe only w«akh, a gentle feeling heart.
While thus within her fecret loved retreat.
Half deeping, half awake, opprefs'd with hear.
The princefs fliimber'd ; near her, fhrill, yet faint,
Rofe the faf^ tones of fuppliant forrow's plaint.
She ftarts, and angry gazts round : when lof
A wretched female, bent with age and woe,
Drags her unfteady feet the arbour nigh.
While every ftep is n\imber'd by a figh.
Meagre and wan her ferm, her cheek is pale j
Her tacter'd garments fcarce her limbs can veil ;
Yet ftill, through want and grief, her air betrays
Grandeur's remains, and gleanjs of better days.
Soon as to Nouronihar's couch (he came,
Xow on the ground her weak and trembling frame
Exhaufted fank ; and, then, with gafping breaft,
She thus in'plaititivc tones the fair addrefs'd.
— " If e'er compaffion's tear your cheek could ftain,
" If e'er you languilh'd in dileafe and pain,
" If e'er you fympathized with age's groan,
" Hear, noble lady, hear a fuppliant's moan .'
" Broken by days of want, and nights of tears,
" By ficknefs wafted, and opprefs'd by years,
" Beneath our facred Wjithra's fcorching tire
*J I fink enfeebled, and with ihirft expire.
" Yon ftream is near: oh .' lift a fu-aerer's cry,
" And reach one draught of water, left I die !" —
■ — " What means this bold intrufion ?" cried the
^■' foir.
With peevifti tone, and difcontented air;
" What daring voice, with wearying plaint, infefts
" The facred prove where Perfia's princefs refls >
" Beggar begone, and let thefe clamours ceafe !
^'.This buys at onie your abfence, and my peace."—
Thtis faid the princefs, and indignant frown'd.
Then cali her precious bracelet on the ground.
And turn'd again to deep. With joylefs eye
The fainting Ifranger faw the iewel lie :
When lo ! kind Selima (tlie Georgian's i.ame,)
Softly with water from the fountain came ,-
And while, with gentle grace, flie gave the bowl,
Thus fweetlj fiid her feeling accents ftole.
— " Humble and poor, I nothing can beftowr,
" Except thefe tears of pity for your woe :
" 'Tis all 1 have ; but yet that all receive
" From one who fain your forrows would relieve,,
" From one who weeps to view fuch mournful fcen^,i
" AnJ ivould gi've more, but that h-r hundlacks mtans.
" Drink, mother ! cirink I the wave is cool and clear,
" But drink in filence, left the princefs hearl"— »
Scarce are thefe words pronounced, when, blefs'd
furprize !
The ftranger's age bowed frgure fwells its fize!
l\o more the ftanip of years deforms her face ;
Her tatter'd fhreds to fparkling idbes give place;
Ber breath periumes the air with odours fweet ;
Frefh rofes fpring wherever tread her feet.
And rrom her eyes, where reign delight and love,
Unufual fplendour glitters through the grove !
Her (ilver wand, her form of heavenly niduld!
Her white and fhining robes, her wings of gold.
Her port majeltic, and fuperior height,
Anniiiince a daughter of the »vorld of lieht J
The princefs, whom her Oave's delighted cries
Compell'd once more to ope her ileep-boiind eyeS,
With wonder mix'd with awe the fcene furvey'd.
While thus the Peri cheer'd the captive maid.
" Look up, fweet girl, and caft all fears afide .'
" I feek my darling f )n's predeftined bride,
" And here I find her : here are found alone,
" Feelings as kind, as gracious as his own.
■" For you, fair princ/fs, in whufe eyes of blue,
" The ftrife of envy^ fhame, and grief, I view,
"" Obferve, and pr.ifit by this fcene ! you gave,
" But oh ! how far lefs nobly than your dave !
" Your bitter fpeech, proud glance, and pee.vifh tone,
" Too plain declared, your e;ift was meant alone .
" Your own repofe and filence to fecure,
" And hufh the beggar, not relieve the poor I
" Oh f royal lady, let this leflon prove,
" Smiles, mnre than prefents, win a fuppliant's love
" And when yr>ur mandates Title fome; diftant land,
" Where all expecfl their bleflings from your hand,!
" Remember, with ill-will and frowns beftow'd,
" Favours offend, and gifts become a load 1" —
She ceafed, and touching with her filver wand
Her deftined daughter, Ifrait two wings expand
Their purple plumes, and wave o'er either arm)
Next to her perfonfpreads the powerful charm:
And foon the enraptured wondering maid combined
A faultlefs perfn with a fauitlefs mind,
Then, while with joy divine their hearts beat high»
Swift as the lightning of a jealous eye
The Peries fpread their wings, and foar'd away
To the blefs'd regions of eternal day.
Stung with regret, thejmncefs faw too plain.
Loft by her fault what rears could ne'er regain !
Long on the tablets of her humbled breaft
The Peri's parting words reinain'd imprefs'd.
E'en when her hand Golconda's fceptre fway'd
And fubjec'^ realms her mild beheHs obey'd.
The juft reproof her confcious eai fl'il heard j
Still (he remember'd, u ith ill grace conferr'd.
Crowns, to a feeling mind, Isfs joy impart.
Than trifles, offerM with a willing heart.
M. G. Leteiit