He quits his mule, and mounts his horse, And through the street directs his course; Through the street of Zacatin To the Alhambra spurring in. Woe is me, Alhama! When the Alhambra walls he gained, On the moment he ordained That the trumpet straight should sound With the silver clarion round. Woe is me, Alhama! And when the hollow drums of war That the Moors of town and plain Might answer to the martial strain Woe is me, Alhama!— Then the Moors, by this aware, One by one, and two by two, To a mighty squadron grew. Woe is me, Alhama! Out then spake an aged Moor Woe is me, Alhama! 'Friends! ye have, alas! to know Of a most disastrous blow; That the Christians, stern and bold, Have obtained Alhama's hold.' Woe is me, Alhama! Out then spake old Alfaqui, With his beard so white to see, Woe is me, Alhama! By thee were slain, in evil hour, Woe is me, Alhama! And for this, O King! is sent On thee a double chastisement: Thee and thine, thy crown and realm, One last wreck shall overwhelm. Woe is me, Alhama! He who holds no laws in awe, He must perish by the law; And thyself with her undone.' Woe is me, Alhama! Fire flashed from out the old Moor's eyes, The monarch's wrath began to rise, Because he answered, and because He spake exceeding well of laws. Woe is me, Alhama! "There is no law to say such things As may disgust the ear of kings: Thus, snorting with his choler, said The Moorish King, and doomed him dead. Woe is me, Alhama! Moor Alfaqui! Moor Alfaqui! Though thy beard so hoary be, The King hath sent to have thee seized, For Alhama's loss displeased. Woe is me, Alhama! And to fix thy head upon High Alhambra's loftiest stone; That this for thee should be the law, And others tremble when they saw. Woe is me, Alhama! 'Cavalier, and man of worth! Let these words of mine go forth! That to him I nothing owe. Woe is me, Alhama! But on my soul Alhama weighs, Woe is me, Alhama! Sires have lost their children, wives Their lords, and valiant men their lives! One what best his love might claim Woe is me, Alhama! I lost a damsel in that hour, Of all the land the loveliest flower; And as these things the old Moor said, Woe is me, Alhama! And men and infants therein weep Woe is me, Alhama! And from the windows o'er the walls His loss, for it is much and sore. Woe is me, Alhama! LXXV FRIENDSHIP My boat is on the shore, And my bark is on the sea; Here's a double health to thee! Here's a sigh to those who love me, Here's a heart for every fate. Though the ocean roar around me, Were 't the last drop in the well, 'Tis to thee that I would drink. With that water, as this wine, Should be, 'Peace with thine and mine, LXXVI THE RACE WITH DEATH O VENICE! Venice! when thy marble walls A loud lament along the sweeping sea! |