Letitia Elizabeth Landon (L. E. L.) in Fisher's Drawing Room Scrap Book, 1839/Court of a Turkish Villa
28
COURT OF A TURKISH VILLA NEAR DAMASCUS.
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COURT OF A TURKISH VILLA.
NEAR DAMASCUS.
In the midst a fountain,
Singeth day and night,
Each small wave a mirror
For the changing light.
Now the golden sunshine,
Softened by the boughs,
Which a doubtful passage
To the light allows:
Or the moon seems lingering near,
As she paused the words to hear
Of the tales Arabian,
The old Arabian Nights.
On the wind a murmur
Seems to float along,
Soft as is the music
Of remembered song.
Bringing at the moment
All that dwelt apart
In the lone recesses
Of the haunted heart.
So upon her twilight wings
Memory beareth graceful things
From the tales Arabian,
From the old Arabian Nights.
I can see the garden
Treasured from the day,
Where the young Aladdin
Took his wondering way.
Pale the lamp was burning
Which the genie swayed;
Would that at this moment
I could have its aid!
All my fancies, now so vain,
I might with a wish obtain;
From the tales Arabian,
The old Arabian Nights.
Far away the island
Rises on the deep,
Where the fated Agib
Found the boy asleep.
Soon the old fond father
Came with songs and joy
Ah! what bears he with him
But his murdered boy!
Still does Fate in some dark shape,
Mock our efforts to escape,
As in the tales Arabian,
The old Arabian Nights.
Next a summer palace
Gleams with sudden light,
But the lovely Persian
Makes it yet more bright.
I can hear her singing
In the lonely tower,
Mournful—oh, how mournful!
Of a happier hour.
Still the same star rules above,
Sorrow still companions love,
As in the tales Arabian,
The old Arabian Nights.
Pleasantly these fancies
Haunt that fountain's fall,
Making its low music
Yet more musical.
Still around its waters
Are adventures told,
Wonderful as any
That I read of old.
Never will their charm depart,
Still a portion of the heart
Dwells with the tales Arabian,
The old Arabian Nights.