Then Desire arose within him--
He was almost yielding--almost
Laying honey on her Lip--
When a Signal out of Darkness
Spoke to him--and he withdrew
His Hand, and dropt the Skirt of Fortune.

XI.

Thus day by day did Absal tempt Salaman,
And by and bye her Wiles began to work.
Her Eyes Narcissus stole his sleep--their Lashes
Pierc'd to his Heart--out from her Locks a Snake
Bit him--and bitter, bitter on his Tongue
Became the Memory of her honey Lip.
He saw the Ringlet restless on her Cheek,
And he too quiver'd with Desire; his Tears
Turn'd Crimson from her Cheek, whose musky spot
Infected all his soul with Melancholy.
Love drew him from behind the Veil, where yet
Withheld him better Resolution--
"Oh, should the Food I long for, tasted, turn
Unwholesome, and if all my Life to come
Should sicken from one momentary Sweet!"

On the Sea-shore sat a Raven,
Blind, and from the bitter Cistern
Forc'd his only Drink to draw.
Suddenly the Pelican
Flying over Fortune's Shadow
Cast upon his Head, and calling--
"Come, poor Son of Salt, and taste of
Sweet, sweet Water from my Maw."
Said the Raven, "If I taste it
Once, the Salt I have to live on
May for ever turn to Loathing;
And I sit a Bird accurst
Upon the Shore to die of Thirst."

XII.

Now when Salaman's Heart turn'd to Absal,
Her Star was happy in the Heavens--Old Love
Put forth afresh--Desire doubled his Bond:
And of the running Time she watch'd an Hour
To creep into the Mansion of her Moon
And satiate her soul upon his Lips.
And the Hour came; she stole into his Chamber--
Ran up to him, Life's offer in her Hand--
And, falling like a Shadow at his Feet,
She laid her Face beneath. Salaman then
With all the Courtesies of Princely Grace
Put forth his Hand--he rais'd her in his Arms--
He held her trembling there--and from that Fount
Drew first Desire; then Deeper from her Lips,
That, yielding, mutually drew from his
A Wine that ever drawn from never fail'd--

So through the Day--so through another still--
The Day became a Seventh--the Seventh a Moon--
The Moon a Year--while they rejoiced together,
Thinking their pleasure never was to end.
But rolling Heave