Page:Works of Voltaire Volume 36.djvu/144

To share, in her turn, the fell conqueror's bed:
Fired with rage at the sight, to the eunuch he said,
"To make me quite wretched, there but wanted this stroke."
Wonder seized on the slave at the words which he spoke;
In a language quite different, fair Amida replied,
With affection and sorrow her young lover she eyed;
Her eloquent looks her full meaning express,
They meant, "Bear your woes, live my wrongs to redress;
Your present mean station I do not despise,"
Your sufferings give you new worth in my eyes.
Alamon took the meaning which her looks thus expressed,
And heart-cheering hope was revived in his breast.
Amida with beauty transcendently bright,
So dazzled the chief of the Mussulmans' sight,
That, transported with passion, by Allah he swore,
He enjoyment had known, but ne'er knew love before.
The fair one resisted to increase his desires,
Resistance served only to fan the chief's fires.
A woman's head still with invention is fraught,
Said she, "Sir, your conquest I well may be thought;
You're unconquered in love as in warlike alarms,
All fall at your feet, or rush into your arms;
But the honor you mean me defer for three days,
And grant, to console me for such sad delays,
Two things, which as proofs of your love, I require:"
"I'll grant," said the pirate, "whate'er you desire."