The Ninth Book.

Conscience!...

Poor plodding Priests and preaching Friars may make
Their hollow pulpits, and the empty aisles

Of churches ring, with that round word: but we,
That draw the subtile and more piercing air
In that sublimed region of a court,

Know all is good we make so, and go on
Secured by the prosperity of our crimes.

B. JONSON. MORTIMER'S FALL.

VOL. II.

F

Lo! on the terrace of the topmost tower
She stands; her darkening eyes,

Her fine face rais'd to heaven;

Her white hair flowing like the silver streams That streak the northern night.

3.

They hear her coming tread,

They lift their asking eyes,

Her face is serious, her unwilling lips
Slow to the tale of ill.

"What hast thou read? what hast thou read?" Quoth Khawla in alarm.

Danger.. death.. judgment!" Maimuna replied.

4.

"Is that the language of the lights of Heaven!" Exclaim'd the sterner Witch.

"Creatures of Allah, they perform his will, "And with their lying menaces would daunt "Our credulous folly... Maimuna,

"I never lik'd this uncongenial lore!
"Better befits to make the sacrifice
"Of Divination; so shall I

"Be mine own Oracle.

"Command the victims thou, O King!
"Male and female they must be,
"Thou knowest the needful rites.
"Meanwhile I purify the place."

The Sultan went; the Sorceress rose,

And North, and South, and East, and West, She fac'd the points of Heaven;

And ever where she turn'd

She laid her hand upon the wall;

And

up

she look'd, and smote the air,

And down she stoopt, and smote the floor.

66 To Eblis and his servants

"I consecrate the place,

"Let none intrude but they!

"Whatever hath the breath of life,

"Whatever hath the sap of life,

"Let it be blasted and die!"

6.

Now all is prepar'd;

Mohareb returns,

The Circle is drawn,

The Victims have bled,

The Youth and the Maid.

She in the circle holds in either hand,

Clench'd by the hair, a head,