Page:The Giaour, a fragment of a Turkish tale (IA giaourfragmentof01byro).pdf/16

4

Beneath whose widely-wasting breath
The very cypress droops to death—
Dark tree—still sad, when others' grief is fled,
The only constant mourner o'er the dead!
********

I hear the sound of coming feet,
But not a voice mine ear to greet—
More near—each turban I can scan,
And silver-sheathed ataghan^[1];
The foremost of the band is seen
An Emir by his garb of green^[2]:
"Ho! who art thou?—this low salam^[3]
"Replies of Moslem faith I am."

1. The ataghan, a long dagger worn with pistols in the belt, in a metal scabbard, generally of silver; and, among the wealthier, gilt, or of gold.
2. Green is the privileged colour of the prophet's numerous pretended descendants; with them, as here, faith (the family inheritance) is supposed to supersede the necessity of good works; they are the worst of a very indifferent brood.
3. Salam aleikoum! aleikoum salam! peace be with you; be with you peace—the salutation reserved for the faithful;-to a Christian,