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<title type="main">The Collected Letters of Robert Southey. Part 2: 1798-1803 </title>
<title type="subordinate">A Romantic Circles Electronic Edition</title>
<author>
<name>Southey, Robert, 1774-1843</name>
</author>
<editor>Lynda Pratt</editor>
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<idno type="nines">rce571</idno>
<idno type="edition">letterEEd.26.562</idno>
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<date when="2011-08-15">August 15, 2011</date>
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<sourceDesc>
<p>National
                        Library of Wales, MS
                    4819E.  Not previously published.</p>
<p>These letters were edited with the assistance of Carol Bolton, Tim Fulford and Ian Packer</p>
<p>For permission to publish the text of MSS in their possession, the editor wishes to thank the Beinecke Rare
											Books and Manuscript Library, Yale University; Berg Collection of English and American Literature, The New
											York Public Library, Astor, Lenox and Tilden Foundations; the Bodleian Library Oxford University; the
											British Library; Boston Public Library; the Syndics of Cambridge University Library; the Syndics of the
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											National Library of Scotland; the Newberry Library, Chicago; the New York Public Library (Pforzheimer
											Collections); the Pierpont Morgan Library, New York; the Public Record Offices of Bedford, Suffolk (Bury
											St Edmunds) and Northumberland, the Master and Fellows of Trinity College, Cambridge; the Society of
											Antiquaries of Newcastle upon Tyne; the Trustees of the William Salt Library, Stafford, the Wisbech and
											Fenland Museum; the University of Virginia Library.</p>
<p>A research grant from the British Academy made much of the archival work possible, as did support from the
											English Department of Nottingham Trent University.</p>
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<div n="562" type="letter">
<head>562. Robert Southey to <ref target="people.html#WynnCharlesWW">Charles Watkin
                        Williams Wynn</ref>, <date when="1800-12-29">[c. 29
                        December 1800]</date>
<note place="foot" resp="editors" type="headnote">Address: [deletions and readdress in
                        another hand] To/ C W Williams Wynn Esq<hi rend="sup">r</hi> M.P./ <del rend="strikethrough">5. Stone
                            Buildings</del>/ <del rend="strikethrough">Lincolns
                            Inn</del>/ <del rend="strikethrough">Londo</del>n
                        &lt;Wynnstay/ Wrexham/ N. W.&gt; <lb/>Postmarks: CDE/
                        29/ 1800; FOREIGN OFFICE/ DE/ 29/ 1800<lb/>MS: National
                        Library of Wales, MS
                    4819E<lb/>Unpublished.</note>
</head>
<opener>
<salute>My dear Wynn</salute>
</opener>
<p rend="indent1"> I send you the supplementary Thalaba. my
                    brain has been at work for you, with a somewhat unlucky
                    activity – as it has made a great outline &amp; finished
                    nothing. in fact I have mapped out my Hindoo Romance<note n="1" place="foot" resp="editors">
<title>Common-Place
                            Book</title>, ed. John Wood Warter, 4 series
                        (London, 1849–1850), IV, pp. 12–15 contains the first
                        ideas for <title>The Curse of Kehama</title>
                        (1810).</note> while only designing to furnish you with
                    a fragment for a Xmas Tale. if you are disposed to see it in
                    its Tadpole state it may fill part of my next letter. I
                    would willingly get the first book ready for your budget –
                    but that the egg cannot be hatchd before its time. – The
                    Lady her Dog &amp; Dolly<note n="2" place="foot" resp="editors">‘Imitation of Modern Poetry: An Attempt
                        at the Simple’, <title>Morning Post</title>, 2 October
                        1800. It was by neither Coleridge nor Southey.</note> I
                    have never seen; the lines which made you suspect it to be
                    mine, satisfy me that it is <ref target="people.html#ColeridgeSamuelTaylor">Coleridges</ref>. I have written no line of poetry here
                    – save Thalaba. – whatever therefore looks like mine, you
                    may believe to be his, as we have both improved we have more
                    resembled each other. – but to Thalaba –</p>
<lg type="stanza">
<l rend="indent4"> Book II – Simorghs speech.</l>
<l rend="indent3"> Thus prepared ascend the sledge</l>
<l rend="indent4"> God hath appointed all.</l>
<l rend="indent3"> Be bold – be wary – seek &amp; find!</l>
<l rend="indent2"> The ancient Simorg then let fall his
                        lids</l>
<l rend="indent4"> Returning to repose.</l>
</lg>
<p rend="indent5"> _____</p>
<p>from thence unaltered to</p>
<lg type="stanza">
<l rend="indent4"> Beheld the youth beloved:</l>
<l rend="indent2"> And lo! beneath yon lonely pine the
                        sledge</l>
<l rend="indent3"> And there they stand the harnessed dogs –
                        &amp;c.</l>
</lg>
<p rend="indent5"> ______</p>
<p>omit the three lines “And he will meet with open eyes &amp;c
                    –</p>
<p>from thence as it stands to</p>
<lg type="stanza">
<l rend="indent2"> Thy shattered flesh will harden in the
                            frost.<note n="3" place="foot" resp="editors">What
                            follows is a draft of <title>Thalaba the
                                Destroyer</title> (1801), Book 11, from line
                            216.</note>
</l>
<l rend="indent3"> Why howl the dogs so mournfully?</l>
<l rend="indent3"> And wherefore does the blood flow
                        fast,</l>
<l rend="indent3"> All purple oer their sable hairs?</l>
<l rend="indent3"> His arms are folded on his breast,</l>
<l rend="indent3"> Nor scourge nor goad has he.</l>
<l rend="indent3"> But piteously they moan &amp; moan</l>
<l rend="indent4"> And track their way with blood.</l>
</lg>
<lb/>
<lg type="stanza">
<l rend="indent4"> And lo! on yonder height</l>
<l rend="indent4"> A giant Fiend aloft</l>
<l rend="indent2"> Waits to thrust down the tottering
                        Avalanch –</l>
<l rend="indent3"> If Thalaba looks back – he dies, –</l>
<l rend="indent3"> The motion of fear is death.</l>
<l rend="indent3"> On – on – with swift &amp; steady
                        pace</l>
<l rend="indent4"> Adown that dreadful way!</l>
<l rend="indent3"> The youth is firm, the dogs are fleet</l>
<l rend="indent4"> The sledge goes rapidly.</l>
<l rend="indent3"> The thunder of the avalanch</l>
<l rend="indent4"> Reechoes far behind.</l>
<l rend="indent3"> On – on – with swift &amp; steady
                        pace</l>
<l rend="indent4"> Adown that dreadful way!</l>
<l rend="indent3"> The dogs are fleet – the way is steep</l>
<l rend="indent4"> The sledge goes rapidly,</l>
<l rend="indent4"> They reach the plain below.</l>
</lg>
<lb/>
<lg type="stanza">
<l rend="indent3"> A wide, wide, plain – all desolate –</l>
<l rend="indent3"> Nor tree – nor bush – nor herb!</l>
<l rend="indent3"> On go the dogs with rapid step</l>
<l rend="indent3"> The sledge slides after rapidly</l>
<l rend="indent4"> And now the Sun went down.</l>
<l rend="indent3"> They stopt &amp; lookd at Thalaba,</l>
<l rend="indent4"> The youth performed his prayer.</l>
<l rend="indent3"> They knelt beside him as he prayed</l>
<l rend="indent3"> They turned their heads to Mecca</l>
<l rend="indent4"> And tears ran down their cheeks.</l>
<l rend="indent3"> Then down they laid them in the snow</l>
<l rend="indent4"> As close as they could be,</l>
<l rend="indent4"> They laid them down &amp; slept.</l>
<l rend="indent4"> And backward in the sledge</l>
<l rend="indent4"> The adventurer laid him down,</l>
<l rend="indent3"> And the Green Bird of Paradise</l>
<l rend="indent4"> Lay in his bosom warm.</l>
</lg>
<lb/>
<lg type="stanza">
<l rend="indent3"> The dogs awoke him at the dawn</l>
<l rend="indent4"> They knelt &amp; wept again.</l>
<l rend="indent3"> Then on they journeyed rapidly,</l>
<l rend="indent3"> And still the plain was desolate</l>
<l rend="indent4"> Nor tree, nor bush, nor herb.</l>
<l rend="indent3"> And ever at the hour of prayer</l>
<l rend="indent4"> They slept &amp; knelt &amp; wept.</l>
<l rend="indent3"> And still that green &amp; graceful
                        bird</l>
<l rend="indent3"> Was as a friend to him by day,</l>
<l rend="indent3"> And ever when at night he slept</l>
<l rend="indent4"> Lay in his bosom warm.</l>
<l rend="indent3"> In this most utter solitude</l>
<l rend="indent4"> It cheered his heart to hear</l>
<l rend="indent4"> Her soft &amp; soothing voice.</l>
<l rend="indent4"> His voice was soft &amp; sweet</l>
<l rend="indent3"> It swelled not with the Blackbirds
                        thrill,</l>
<l rend="indent3"> Nor warbled rich like that dear Bird that
                        holds</l>
<l rend="indent4"> The solitary man</l>
<l rend="indent2"> A loiterer in his thoughtful walk at
                        eve.</l>
<l rend="indent3"> But if no overflowing joy</l>
<l rend="indent3"> Spake in its tones of tenderness,</l>
<l rend="indent4"> They soothed the softened soul.</l>
<l rend="indent3"> Her bill was not the beak of blood,</l>
<l rend="indent2"> There was a human meaning in her eye,</l>
<l rend="indent2"> Its mild affection fixed on Thalaba</l>
<l rend="indent4"> Woke wonder while he gazed</l>
<l rend="indent2"> And made her dearer for the mystery.</l>
</lg>
<lb/>
<lg type="stanza">
<l rend="indent3"> Oh joy! the signs of life appear, –</l>
<l rend="indent4"> The first &amp; single Fir.</l>
<l rend="indent2"> That on the limits of the living
                        world</l>
<l rend="indent4"> Strikes in the ice its roots.</l>
<l rend="indent3"> Another &amp; another now –</l>
<l rend="indent3"> And now the Larch that flings its arms </l>
<l rend="indent3"> Down-arching like the falling wave,</l>
<l rend="indent3"> And now the Aspens, scattered leaves</l>
<l rend="indent3"> Grey-glitter on the moveless twig,</l>
<l rend="indent3"> The Poplars varying verdure now,</l>
<l rend="indent3"> And now the birch so beautiful,</l>
<l rend="indent4"> Light as a Ladys plumes.</l>
<l rend="indent3"> Oh joy! the signs of life! the Deer</l>
<l rend="indent3"> Hath left his slot beside the way;</l>
<l rend="indent3"> The little ermine now is seen</l>
<l rend="indent4"> White wanderer of the snow;</l>
<l rend="indent3"> And now from yonder pines they hear</l>
<l rend="indent3"> The clatter of the Grouses wings,</l>
<l rend="indent3"> And now the snowy Owl pursues </l>
<l rend="indent3"> The Travellers sledge in hope of
                        food,</l>
<l rend="indent3"> And hark the rosy-breasted Bird</l>
<l rend="indent4"> The Throstle of sweet song.</l>
<l rend="indent3"> Joy – joy – the wintry wilds are left
                        –</l>
<l rend="indent3"> Green bushes now – &amp; greener grass
                        –</l>
<l rend="indent3"> Red thickets here all berry-bright,</l>
<l rend="indent4"> And here the lovely flowers.</l>
</lg>
<lb/>
<lg type="stanza">
<l rend="indent2"> When the last morning of his way
                        arrived,</l>
<l rend="indent4"> After the early prayer</l>
<l rend="indent3"> A sad &amp; supplicating eye</l>
<l rend="indent3"> The Green Bird fixed on Thalaba,</l>
<l rend="indent3"> And with a human voice she spake –</l>
<l rend="indent3"> “Servant of God I leave thee now –</l>
<l rend="indent3"> “If rightly I have guided thee</l>
<l rend="indent4"> “Give me the boon I beg!”</l>
</lg>
<lb/>
<lg type="stanza">
<l rend="indent3"> “O gentle Bird!” quoth Thalaba –</l>
<l rend="indent2"> “Guide &amp; companion of my dangerous
                        way –</l>
<l rend="indent4"> “Friend &amp; sole solace of my
                        solitude,</l>
<l rend="indent4"> “How can I pay thee benefits like
                        these?</l>
<l rend="indent3"> “Ask what thou wilt that I can give –</l>
<l rend="indent3"> “O gentle Bird the poor return</l>
<l rend="indent4"> “Will leave me debtor still.”</l>
</lg>
<lb/>
<lg type="stanza">
<l rend="indent3"> “Son of Hodeirah,” she replied,</l>
<l rend="indent4"> “When thou shalt see an old man crushed
                        beneath</l>
<l rend="indent4"> “The burthen of his earthly punishment,
                        –</l>
<l rend="indent4"> “Forgive him Thalaba!</l>
<l rend="indent2"> “Yea – send a prayer to God in his
                        behalf.”</l>
</lg>
<lb/>
<lg type="stanza">
<l rend="indent2"> A flush oerspread the young Destroyers
                        cheek –</l>
<l rend="indent3"> He turned his eyes towards the Bird</l>
<l rend="indent2"> As if in half repentance, for he
                        thought</l>
<l rend="indent2"> Of Okba, &amp; his fathers dying
                        groan</l>
<l rend="indent2"> Came on his memory. the celestial
                        Bird</l>
<l rend="indent4"> Saw, &amp; renewed her speech –</l>
<l rend="indent2"> “O Thalaba! if she who in thine arms</l>
<l rend="indent2"> “Received the dagger blow &amp; died for
                        thee</l>
<l rend="indent3"> “Deserve one kind remembrance – save</l>
<l rend="indent2"> “The Father that she loved from endless
                        death!”</l>
</lg>
<lb/>
<lg type="stanza">
<l rend="indent2"> “Laila! &amp; is it thou?” the Youth
                        replied</l>
<l rend="indent2"> “This is no time to harbour in my
                        heart</l>
<l rend="indent2"> “One evil thought. here I put off revenge
                        –</l>
<l rend="indent2"> “The last rebellious feeling. be it
                        so!</l>
<l rend="indent2"> “God grant to me the pardon that I
                        need</l>
<l rend="indent4"> “As I do pardon him.</l>
<l rend="indent3"> “But who am I – that I should save</l>
<l rend="indent4"> “The sinful soul alive?”</l>
</lg>
<lb/>
<lg type="stanza">
<l rend="indent2"> “Enough!” said Laila. “when the hour
                        shall come</l>
<l rend="indent3"> “Remember me! my task is done –</l>
<l rend="indent3"> “We meet again in Paradise.</l>
<l rend="indent2"> She said, &amp; shook her wings, &amp; up
                        she soared</l>
<l rend="indent2"> With arrow swiftness thro the heights of
                        Heaven.</l>
<l rend="indent3"> His aching eye pursued her path –</l>
<l rend="indent3"> When starting forward went the dogs –</l>
<l rend="indent3"> More rapidly they hurried on</l>
<l rend="indent4"> In hope of near repose.</l>
<l rend="indent3"> It was the early morning yet,</l>
<l rend="indent3"> When by the well-head of a spring</l>
<l rend="indent4"> They stopt, their journey done.</l>
<l rend="indent3"> The spring was clear, the water deep,</l>
<l rend="indent3"> A venturous man were he &amp; rash,</l>
<l rend="indent4"> That should have probed its depths,</l>
<l rend="indent3"> For all its loosened bed below</l>
<l rend="indent4"> Heaved strangely up &amp; down,</l>
<l rend="indent3"> And to &amp; fro, from side to side</l>
<l rend="indent4"> It heaved &amp; waved &amp; tost,</l>
<l rend="indent4"> And yet the depths were clear,</l>
<l rend="indent3"> And yet no ripple wrinked oer</l>
<l rend="indent4"> The face of that fair well.</l>
</lg>
<lb/>
<lg type="stanza">
<l rend="indent3"> And on that well so strange &amp;
                        fair</l>
<l rend="indent4"> A little boat there lay,</l>
<l rend="indent3"> Without an oar, without a sail,</l>
<l rend="indent3"> One only seat it had, one seat</l>
<l rend="indent3"> As if for only Thalaba.</l>
<l rend="indent3"> And at the helm a Damsel sat</l>
<l rend="indent3"> A Damsel bright &amp; bold of eye,</l>
<l rend="indent3"> Yet did a maiden modesty</l>
<l rend="indent4"> Adorn her fearless brow.</l>
<l rend="indent3"> She seemed sorrowful, but sure</l>
<l rend="indent4"> More beautiful for sorrow.</l>
<l rend="indent3"> To her the Dogs looked wistful up</l>
<l rend="indent4"> And then their tongues were loosed –</l>
<l rend="indent3"> “Have we done well O Mistress dear? –</l>
<l rend="indent4"> “And shall our sufferings end.</l>
</lg>
<lb/>
<lg type="stanza">
<l rend="indent3"> The gentle Damsel made reply</l>
<l rend="indent3"> “Poor Servants of the God I serve,</l>
<l rend="indent3"> “When all this witchery is destroyed</l>
<l rend="indent4"> “Your woes will end with mine.</l>
<l rend="indent3"> “A hope alas! how long unknown</l>
<l rend="indent4"> “This new adventurer gives –</l>
<l rend="indent3"> “Now God forbid that he like you</l>
<l rend="indent4"> “Should perish for his fears!</l>
<l rend="indent3"> “Poor Servants of the God I serve</l>
<l rend="indent4"> “Wait ye the event in peace.”</l>
<l rend="indent2"> A deep &amp; total slumber as she
                        spake</l>
<l rend="indent2"> Seized them. Sleep on poor sufferers, be
                        at rest!</l>
<l rend="indent2"> Ye wake no more to anguish – ye have
                        borne</l>
<l rend="indent2"> The Chosen the Destroyer. Soon his
                        hand</l>
<l rend="indent4"> Shall strike the efficient blow.</l>
<l rend="indent2"> Soon shaking off your penal forms shall
                        ye</l>
<l rend="indent2"> With songs of joy amid the Eden
                        groves</l>
<l rend="indent4"> Hymn the Deliverers praise.</l>
</lg>
<lb/>
<lg type="stanza">
<l rend="indent2"> Then did the Damsel say to Thalaba</l>
<l rend="indent3"> “The morn is young, the Sun is fair</l>
<l rend="indent3"> “And pleasantly thro pleasant banks</l>
<l rend="indent4"> “The quiet brook flows on.</l>
<l rend="indent4"> “Wilt thou embark with me? –</l>
<l rend="indent3"> “Thou knowest not the waters way –</l>
<l rend="indent3"> “Think stranger well! &amp; night will
                        come:</l>
<l rend="indent4"> “Wilt thou embark with me?</l>
<l rend="indent3"> “Stranger the oppressed ask thine aid
                        –</l>
<l rend="indent4"> “Thou wilt embark with me!”</l>
</lg>
<lb/>
<lg type="stanza">
<l rend="indent3"> She smiled in tears upon the Youth –</l>
<l rend="indent3"> What heart were his who could gainsay</l>
<l rend="indent4"> That melancholy smile? – </l>
<l rend="indent3"> “Sail on! sail on!” quoth Thalaba –</l>
<l rend="indent4"> “Sail on in Allahs name.”</l>
</lg>
<lb/>
<lg type="stanza">
<l rend="indent3"> He sate him on the single seat,</l>
<l rend="indent4"> The little boat moved on.</l>
<l rend="indent3"> The quiet brook went pleasantly</l>
<l rend="indent4"> Thro pleasant banks its way –</l>
<l rend="indent3"> Thro fragrant fir groves now it past</l>
<l rend="indent4"> And now thro alder shores – </l>
<l rend="indent3"> Thro green &amp; fertile meadows now</l>
<l rend="indent4"> It silently ran by.</l>
<l rend="indent3"> The flag flower blossomed on its
                        side;</l>
<l rend="indent4"> The willow tresses waved,</l>
<l rend="indent3"> The flowing current furrowed round</l>
<l rend="indent3"> The water cresses floating leaf, –</l>
<l rend="indent3"> The fly of green &amp; gauzy wing</l>
<l rend="indent4"> Fell sporting down its course</l>
<l rend="indent3"> And grateful to the voyager</l>
<l rend="indent3"> The freshness of the running stream,</l>
<l rend="indent4"> The murmur round the keel.</l>
<l rend="indent3"> The little boat falls rapidly </l>
<l rend="indent4"> Adown the rapid brook.</l>
</lg>
<lb/>
<lg type="stanza">
<l rend="indent3"> But many a silent spring meantime</l>
<l rend="indent3"> And many a little rivulet </l>
<l rend="indent4"> Had swoln the growing brook –</l>
<l rend="indent3"> And when the southern sun began</l>
<l rend="indent3"> To wind the downward way of heaven,</l>
<l rend="indent3"> It ran a river deep &amp; wide</l>
<l rend="indent4"> Thro banks that widened still.</l>
<l rend="indent3"> Then once again the Damsel spake</l>
<l rend="indent3"> “The stream is strong – the river broad
                        –</l>
<l rend="indent4"> “Wilt thou go with me?</l>
<l rend="indent3"> “The day is fair but Night must come
                        –</l>
<l rend="indent4"> “Wilt thou go on with me?</l>
<l rend="indent3"> “Far far away the Mourners eye</l>
<l rend="indent3"> “Is watching for our little boat –</l>
<l rend="indent4"> “Thou wilt go on with me!”</l>
<l rend="indent3"> “Sail on – sail on–” quoth Thalaba –</l>
<l rend="indent4"> “Sail on in Allahs name.”</l>
<l rend="indent3"> The little boat falls rapidly</l>
<l rend="indent4"> Adown the river stream.</l>
</lg>
<lb/>
<lg type="stanza">
<l rend="indent3"> A broader &amp; a broader stream</l>
<l rend="indent4"> That rocked the little boat –</l>
<l rend="indent3"> The Cormorant stands upon its shoals</l>
<l rend="indent4"> His black &amp; dripping wings</l>
<l rend="indent4"> Half open to the wind.</l>
<l rend="indent3"> The sun goes down – the crescent Moon</l>
<l rend="indent3"> Is brightening in the firmament –</l>
<l rend="indent4"> And what is yonder roar –</l>
<l rend="indent3"> That sinking now &amp; swelling now,</l>
<l rend="indent4"> But roaring roaring still</l>
<l rend="indent4"> Still louder, louder, grows?</l>
<l rend="indent3"> The little boat<del rend="strikethrough">s</del> falls rapidly</l>
<l rend="indent4"> Adown the rapid tide –</l>
<l rend="indent4"> The Moon is bright above –</l>
<l rend="indent2"> And the wide Ocean opens in their
                        way.</l>
</lg>
<lb/>
<lg type="stanza">
<l rend="indent3"> Then did the Damsel speak again</l>
<l rend="indent4"> “Wilt thou go on with me?</l>
<l rend="indent3"> “The moon is bright – the Sea is calm
                        –</l>
<l rend="indent3"> “And I know<del rend="strikethrough">s</del> well the Ocean paths’ –</l>
<l rend="indent4"> “Wilt thou go on with me?</l>
<l rend="indent3"> “Deliverer! yes – thou dost not fear</l>
<l rend="indent4"> “Thou wilt go on with me!”</l>
<l rend="indent3"> “Sail on – sail on–” quoth Thalaba –</l>
<l rend="indent4"> “Sail on in Allahs name.”</l>
</lg>
<lb/>
<lg type="stanza">
<l rend="indent3"> The Moon is bright the Sea is calm </l>
<l rend="indent3"> The little Boat rides rapidly</l>
<l rend="indent4"> Across the Ocean waves –</l>
<l rend="indent3"> The line of moonlight on the deep</l>
<l rend="indent3"> Still <del rend="strikethrough">still</del> follows as they voyage on –</l>
<l rend="indent4"> The winds are motionless,</l>
<l rend="indent3"> The gentle waters gently part</l>
<l rend="indent4"> In murmurs round the keel,</l>
<l rend="indent3"> He looks above – he looks around –</l>
<l rend="indent3"> The boundless heaven – the boundless sea
                        –</l>
<l rend="indent3"> The crescent Moon – the little Boat –</l>
<l rend="indent4"> Nought else above – below.</l>
</lg>
<lb/>
<lg type="stanza">
<l rend="indent3"> The Moon is sunk – a dusky grey</l>
<l rend="indent4"> Spreads oer the eastern sky,</l>
<l rend="indent4"> The stars grow pale &amp; paler –</l>
<l rend="indent3"> Oh beautiful! the godlike Sun </l>
<l rend="indent4"> Is rising oer the sea.</l>
<l rend="indent3"> Without an oar – without a sail</l>
<l rend="indent3"> The little boat rides rapidly.</l>
<l rend="indent3"> Is that a cloud that skirts the sea?</l>
<l rend="indent4"> There is no cloud in Heaven –</l>
<l rend="indent3"> And <del rend="strikethrough">now</del>
                        nearer now, &amp; darker now –</l>
<l rend="indent4"> It is – it is the Land!</l>
<l rend="indent3"> For loud upon the rocky coast</l>
<l rend="indent3"> The surges leap &amp; rage &amp; roar,
                        –</l>
<l rend="indent3"> For yonder is the watch tower top</l>
<l rend="indent4"> That overlooks the main.</l>
</lg>
<lb/>
<lg type="stanza">
<l rend="indent3"> The Watchman he is on the tower</l>
<l rend="indent3"> And eagerly his aching eyes</l>
<l rend="indent4"> Are gazing oer the deep.</l>
<l rend="indent3"> The Watchman sees a moving speck –</l>
<l rend="indent3"> And nearer now – &amp; larger now –</l>
<l rend="indent3"> And now the Damsel she stands up</l>
<l rend="indent4"> And waves her lilly hand.</l>
<l rend="indent3"> Hark! hark! it is the Watchmans horn</l>
<l rend="indent4"> That blows the welcome blast –</l>
<l rend="indent3"> Hark! hark! it is the shout of joy</l>
<l rend="indent4"> That welcomes hope &amp; her.</l>
</lg>
<lb/>
<lg type="stanza">
<l rend="indent3"> How dark they cluster on the shore –</l>
<l rend="indent3"> And every face towards the sea</l>
<l rend="indent4"> All wistfully is turned –</l>
<l rend="indent3"> And each man shakes his neighbours
                        hand</l>
<l rend="indent3"> And every mother closer clasps</l>
<l rend="indent4"> Her baby to her breast.</l>
</lg>
<lb/>
<lg type="stanza">
<l rend="indent3"> The little boat now rapidly</l>
<l rend="indent4"> It drives thro surge &amp; surf –</l>
<l rend="indent3"> How eagerly they eye the youth –</l>
<l rend="indent3"> And hark the bursting sobs of joy –</l>
<l rend="indent4"> The murmur of their prayers.</l>
<l rend="indent3"> The Damsel lands – the adventurer lands
                        –</l>
<l rend="indent3"> It is an old grey headed Man</l>
<l rend="indent4"> That takes the word for all.</l>
</lg>
<lb/>
<lg type="stanza">
<l rend="indent3"> ‘Wilt thou then venture in our cause</l>
<l rend="indent4"> ‘Thy life?’ said that old Man –</l>
<l rend="indent3"> ‘Yes I will venture in your cause</l>
<l rend="indent4"> ‘My life’ quoth Thalaba.</l>
<l rend="indent3"> ‘And wilt thou dare that mighty foe</l>
<l rend="indent4"> ‘That none have dared &amp; lived?’</l>
<l rend="indent3"> ‘Yes I will meet that mighty foe</l>
<l rend="indent3"> ‘And Allah will defend the right –’ </l>
<l rend="indent3"> ‘And wilt thou read that fatal stone</l>
<l rend="indent3"> ‘The remedy for all our woes,</l>
<l rend="indent3"> ‘On which the Fiends have laid a
                        spell</l>
<l rend="indent4"> ‘That whoso reads shall die?’</l>
<l rend="indent3"> ‘Yes I will read that fatal stone</l>
<l rend="indent3"> ‘And Faith shall be mine amulet.’</l>
<l rend="indent3"> ‘Now God reward the gallant Youth!’</l>
<l rend="indent4"> Exclaimed the grey old man –</l>
<l rend="indent3"> ‘Now God reward the gallant youth!’</l>
<l rend="indent3"> Exclaimed the echoing multitude.</l>
<l rend="indent3"> ‘Come now before the face of God’</l>
<l rend="indent4"> Said then the grey old man –</l>
<l rend="indent3"> ‘And there receive the holy rites</l>
<l rend="indent4"> ‘We yet have power to pay.’</l>
<l rend="indent3"> They led him to the house of God –</l>
<l rend="indent3"> They shrouded him – they coffined him
                        –</l>
<l rend="indent4"> They sung the dirge of death.<note n="4" place="foot" resp="editors">Book II ... dirge of
                            death: Verse written in double columns.</note>
</l>
</lg>
<p rend="indent5"> _________</p>
<p rend="indent1"> The new part of the last book shall follow by
                    the next packet.</p>
<p rend="indent5"> ____</p>
<p rend="indent1"> I have drawn on <ref target="people.html#MayJohn">John May</ref> as before –
                    that being the readier &amp; <hi rend="ital">usual</hi> way
                    here. you have his direction I think – Richmond Green.</p>
<closer>
<signed rend="indent1"> God bless you – yrs R. S.</signed>
</closer>
<postscript>
<p>Did I tell you that 17 nuns in one convent are about to
                        lie in?</p>
</postscript>
</div>
</body>
</text>
</TEI>
