The Beginning of the Story - Page 23 of 25

353   Surrounded by fair princesses,
Diana with her nymphs she is;
To Persians all, a houri, yes –
One of our prophets' own, no less.

354   And I was blest: with constance wooed,
The heart that had so long withstood
Was won; and plight out troth, we would,
When Father's love chose to intrude.

355   Wishing my life would cease to be,
His persecutions started he.
When from Albanian victory
I came back home, he prisoned me...

356   For, I had left my troops, he said,
Without his leave; and when 'twas spread
You had regained your city-stead,
He pronounced sentence on my head.

357   Came now the morrow: dreary eve
When I would punishment receive;
A general came to me – to leave
Word that was worse than death: Reprieve!

358   My orders were: to haste away
From Persian soil, nor wait for day;
Or die... and I, seeing that they
Were king-and-father's, did obey.

359   But to my heart it sweeter were
For breath to snap than, living, bear
Thoughts of my love, my heaven fair,
With someone else enfolding her.

360   I have since wandered six full years,
Hardship keeping attendance fierce.
He pauses here, for voices pierce
The woodland air, and reach their ears...

361   They hear it being clear related:
When I learned that my poor love 'waited
Beheading while incarcerated,
At the king's feet, I fell, prostrated! ^[27]

362   I pleaded pardon for his son,
With tears and sighs, for loved one.
He gave reply: Till I was won
To take his love, reprieve was none!

363   What choice was therefore left to me?
Let my love hand to Death his fee?
I yielded, so his life might be
Spared my dear prince, how helpless he!

364   My adamant heart, unmoved by
The monarch's courtship, threat, or sigh,
Softened, and bowed to Sorrow, aye! –
My lover's life to save thereby.

365   O'erjoyed the monarch straightway freed
The cause for all the tears I'd shed,
But form the city, 'twas decreed,
Banished, an exile's life to lead.

366   My love and life to Persia went,
Nor mutual message had been sent.
Ah, see, what tears might yet be spent,
My lot of sorrow to lament!

367   When the realm set itself to see
The wedding that was death to me,
I planned, in warrior's guise to be,
And from the palace site to flee.

368   One midnight, of a darkness rare,
Escape by window did I dare,
And only Hope with me was there –
Hope I would find my love somewhere.