Page:The Corsair (Byron).djvu/91

"A single word of mine removes that chain:
"Without some aid how here could I remain?
"Well, since we met, hath sped my busy time,
"If in aught evil, for thy sake the crime:
"The crime—'tis none to punish those of Seyd—
"That hated tyrant, Conrad—he must bleed!
"I see thee shudder—but my soul is changed—
"Wrong'd—spurn'd—reviled—and it shall be avenged—
"Accus'd of what till now my heart disdain'd—
"Too faithful, though to bitter bondage chain'd.1490
"Yes, smile!—but he had little cause to sneer,
"I was not treacherous then—nor thou too dear—
"But he has said it—and the jealous well,
"Those tyrants, teasing, tempting to rebel,
"Deserve the fate their fretting lips foretell.
"I never loved—he bought me—somewhat high—
"Since with me came a heart he could not buy.
"I was a slave unmurmuring; he hath said,
"But for his rescue I with thee had fled.
"'Twas false thou know'st—but let such augurs rue,1500
"Their words are omens, Insult renders true.
"Nor was thy respite granted to my prayer;
"This fleeting grace was only to prepare
"New torments for thy life, and my despair.