The Works of Henry Rose. Illustrated

Preface

. The author of the following collection, having been a lover of Nature, and a student of that branch of literature which best reflects Nature, from his boyhood, has noted with regret the growing depreciation of " poetry," and has attempted to trace its cause. It cannot be that imaginative works no longer attract, for the most " wild and wondrous " romances — in prose — were never more in demand. Neither is it that the grand and beautiful in creation have lost their charm. The landscapes, so lovingly copied, that adorn the walls of our galleries ; the eager rush of city crowds to tbe hills or the sea ; the very toiler in the mart who carries a flower to his office, refute this assumption. What, then, can it be but that the subjects, if interesting in themselves, are pre sented in too formal a manner ?

True, our earlier singers, with a language as yet hardly formed, accentuated the syllables they found most convenient, pronounced as they chose, mutilated words at pleasure, and turned sentences about to suit their purpose of the moment ; but is that any reason why a later generation, after reaping tbe harvest of their labours, should disregard the glorious development of our excellent mother tongue, and preserve the barbarisms of its growing youth? But let verse be clear, straightforward, and proportionate, and, when in rhyme, with the rhymes well defined ; and it will be readily admitted to be far more effective, for appropriate themes, than the finest prose. It has long been conceded that any sub ject that can be lifted above the plane of the commonplace may be taken for poetical treatment.

Why, then, should the language used be so different from that of ordinary life ? Under this belief, the author has endeavoured in all be has written to leave nothing obscure or doubtful, but to pourtray each scene, with its true surroundings and atmosphere, as it was impressed upon his own senses or imagination. PEEFACE. The story of " Sir Everard Digby " is founded on a local legend. The mansion said to have been the scene of his conceal ment and capture was, when the author took the subject in hand, deserted and lonely, as described in these pages. The narration, in " Summer Dreams," of the taking of Badajoz, is from the actual experience of a veteran in the stirring period that preceded Waterloo. All else in the volume is of the author's invention. The various English de scriptions are, for the most part, from spots frequented by him in that impressionable time of life commonly called " in the teens," or visited as occasion offered in later years.

In fact many of the pieces were written out of doors. The author is glad here to be afforded an opportunity of recording his acknowledgment of the very generous treatment he has received at so many hands. The contents of the volumes previously published have been revised throughout, with the kindly suggestions of one or two reviewers adopted wherever practicable. " Abdallah " and a few smaller pieces are now printed for the first time. London, August 30th, 1890. CONTENTS. PAGE Abdallah ... ... ... ... 3 SUMMER DREAMS (1883). Peel toe— The Mill 27 Tee Ramble 33 Sir Everard Digby •-- ■-• ... ... ■■■ 35 The Student 44 Crida 46 The Sabbath 50 The Stream ... ... ... ... ... ... 53 The Legend of the Torrent ... ... ... ... 51 The Wood 02 Tlie Linnet and the Sparrow... ... ... ... 65 The Shower ... ... ... ... 77 The Initials 80 The Summer-house 87 The Story of the Rose-bud 8S Finale— The Departure • 99 A STRING OF BEADS.

Light in the City 103 A Dead Poet 104 The Wood-carver and the Goldsmiths... ... ... ... 105 The Light-house Keeper... ... ... ... ... ... 107 The Woodlands 10S The Chestnut Trees 109 A Mother's Hope 110 The Moon and the Earth 110 York and Lancaster ... .'... ... ... ... ... Ill Sextain ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 112 Life ... 113 A Sailor's Song ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 114 The Squirrel 115 The Willow 115 L'Envoi 110 PIECES FOR CHILDREN. The Mouse and the Hawk 121 The Butterfly and the Humble-bee 122 The Two Birds ... 123 The Lily and the Toad 124 A Butterfly's Story 126 The Fox and the Hen ... ... ... 127 THREE SHEIKS (1SS4). Introduction ... ... ... •■■ •■■ ■■■ 131 The First Sheik's Stoet 132 First Interlude 159 The Second Sheik's Story 160 Second Interlude ... ... ... ... ... ... 1S2 The Third Sheik's Story 183 Conclusion ... ... .. ... ... ... ... 196 FROM WEST TO EAST (1S87).

Rustic Rhymes. Seclusion 199 Nature and Poesy ... ... ... ... ... ... 201 By the Stream 203 The Island 205 On the Bridge 20S The Torrent in the Glen 210 The Grey Tower CONTENTS. FROM WEST TO EAST (1887)— continued. Rustic Rhymes — continued. page Old Mary 215 The Dropping Well 218 A Song of the North Wind 221 In the Lane... ... ... ... •■• ■■• ■■• 222 A Woodland Tragedy 224 The Lord of Manton's Bride 225 At the Stile 229 In the Forest 233 The Dryad's Destiny 237 The Fairies' Stratagem 255 Life's Mysteuy ... ... ... ... . . 267 Aziz 279 Hassan of Aleppo ... ... ... ... .. ... 305 EARLIER SKETCHES AND SONGS. In the Desert 347 An Arab's Song ... ... 351 The Story of the Giant 352 Roland 353 A Song of the Sea 354 Woman's Fate ... ... ... ... ... ■■■ ... 355 The Knight 355 The Birth of Love 356 The Robin's Lay 357 " I need no gift of thine " ... ... ... ... ... 357 The Story of a Star 358 The Warrior and the Maiden ... ... .. ... ... 359 Waking Bliss 360 Parting 360 Lasting Love ... ... ... ... ... ... ••• 361 " Sing me a song of olden times " ... ... ... ... 362 Onward 362 A War Song 363 Alice 364 A Pilgrim at Jerusalem .. . ... ... ... ... ... 365 A Prisoner's Lament ... ... ... ... ... ... 366 The Wanderer's Return . ... ... ... ... ... 366 Nevermore ... ... ... ... ... ... 367 A Dirge 367 LYRICS FROM "THE FISHERS."

A Cantata. A Desolate Shore 371 Separation ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 371 Patience ... ... ... ... ... .,. ... ... 372 Britain's Defence... ... ... ... ... ... ... 372 On the Sea 373 Thoughts of Home 374 The Seaman's Home ... ... "... ... ... ... 375 Love's Influence ... ... ... ■■• ... ... ... 376 Heart to Heart ... ... ... ••• ... ... ... 377 Repose ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 377 JUBILEE PIECES, AND OTHERS. For the Fiftieth Anniversary of Her Majesty's Accession ... 381 "Awake! 0 happy Nation " ... ... ... ... ... 382 The Twenty-first of June, 1887 383 Invocation to Harmony... ... ... ... ... ... 386 Damascus... ... ... . . .. ... ... ... 388 Spring-tide ABDALLAH « abdallah. ABDALLAH. Abdallah, son of Aboo-Seer who ruled From wide Euphrates to the Persian peaks, Had led a host that flecked the forest's gloom With flash of steel and scabbards sown with gems, And stirred the slumbering depths with shouts and blasts Of brazen clamour, till the sun had grown To noon, and many a goodly beast lay slain.

Beneath a ridge of rock, where brightlier fell The green light trembling through a sparser growth, The tents were spread ; but when the signal blew To gather stragglers in, a crouching form Stole from the thicket and a lion's voice Bade sudden thunders roll from crag to crag And tingle down the hushed and shuddering glades. A hundred bows were bent, one errant shaft Buzzed in Abdallah's ear and stung his steed : Camp, followers, woods, were lost ; the shouts grew faint, Then failed ; and stillness of the desert wilds Closed round before its headlong race was stayed. Dismounting where the leaning rocks kept back The steadfast glare, Abdallah scanned the scene, Bewildered ; when a terrified gazelle Swept past him with a fierce and frightful beast Pursuing, but a ready javelin dashed The ravenous monster at tbe prince's feet ; His heel was on its neck, his dagger plunged Deep in its heart, and the fair creature freed.

And, lo, a marvel ! for the panting shape Had vanished, but the sound of daintier speech b ABDALLAH. Than dreaming ears might win from realms of sleep Thrilled him with new sensations, wild and vague ; An odorous gale' breathed round him, and a form Of wondrous beauty, like tbe clear full moon, Beamed on him, making all his senses reel, While her strange story lifted up his hopes On soaring pinions, but to whirl them round And dash them down anew, like storm-tossed birds Wellnigh bereft of life, benumbed and dazed. For now he learned that she his hand had freed From bonds of sorcery was of royal line ; An exile from the spice-strewn lands that lie Fanned by green groves beside the Sea of Pearls : The journey long and arduous, and beset With perils, that would win that far domain. Scarce master of his tongue, with hot wild words He bade the Prophet spurn him evermore Should he but swerve one hour from the sweet quests As from her brow she loosed a dazzling band And took his proffered signet in its place.

He heard, as through a dream, her soft farewell, And caught her robes' faint glimmering as she slid From day to night where a rough cavern's mouth Eeceived her back to mystery ; still as stone He stood, and but for the dead monster's shape Beside him, and the gems within his clasp, Had deemed it all a vision, — till glad cries Becalled him to himself, and, like the surge Of gathering tides, his followers crowded round. No woed he breathed to one of all his train, Nor Aboo-Seer ; but when the stars looked down From heaven's blue dome on silvered groves and flowers Folded in sleep, he stole forth to the boat Moored by the broad white steps that met the flood Whose glittering waters marked the garden's bound. Onward he glided till a willowy growth Darkened the bank, and softly stepped to land Where dwelt his kinsman Selim the Becluse.

ABDALLAH. 5 Thrice with his dagger's hilt he smote the door Set in a lofty wall, beyond whose stretch-. ■ . A watch-tower, like a mountain peak, -looked forth On woods and wastes, far seas and rounding skies. A mute attendant came, and led the way Across an open court with whispering shrubs And fountains sparkling in the starlight hours With supernatural lustre, to the hall Where Selim sat engrossed in studious toil. About the sage soft radiance streamed from lamps Of odorous oil, then glimmered into dusk. Abdallah caught a sound of rushing wings, And dimly saw that shadowy shapes drew back Behind the pillars, vast as trunks that loom Through forests veiled with twilight undisturbed From dawn to dark ; but charged with loftier cares Than fear or curiosity could shake, Told his adventure and entreated aid.

Then Selim rose and led Abdallah forth, Till, hollow, vast, and indistinct, the tower Closed round them and above ; high, as in heaven, A flake of moonlight glittered and let fall A slender shaft of silver down the gloom Made heavier by its glory ; where it ceased, Clear on the lighted space, a landscape spread. Abdallah started, for the forest scene — The thicket whence the lion late had rushed, Confronted him, emblazoned on the wall. Amazed, he turned to Selim, in whose hand A crystal, like a fragment of the moon, Caught the clear light ; view after view came forth To vanish in the dark as it was moved. At length, the grim crags and the cavern's mouth, A black gap in the moonlight prospect, grew In rugged truthfulness, Abdallah clutched His kinsman's arm, wTho read the wish and stayed. And, lo, from out the cave a creature stepped, In outline human, but its head a beast's, And bearing wings like some enormous bird.

ABDALLAH. Abdallah trembled with a lover's fear At thought of Abra in that haunt of dread : But Selim beckoned, and a form as strange Uprose beside them, pointing to the spot Where to and fro the pictured presence strode, He raised a hand ; the wondrous vassal flew Up the dark shaft, breaking the slanting ray Of moonlight, and the mural vision failed, To tremble back and settle into shape Once more, as from the gaping dome it sped, Swift as a vulture scenting prey from far. Still speechless with suspense, their gaze fast fixed On that absorbing scene, the youth and seer Expectant stood, while on the cool dark air Their breathing had grown audible, with all Their powers of life concentred in their eyes. Anon, the pictured shape looked up, and sprang, With flapping wings and claws outspread for war, To meet the rival monster darting down With eager fury : grappling in mid air, With talons, fangs, and pinion-blows they fought An unexampled combat ; clearly thrown Before the mute spectators' gaze, who marked The conflict's ebb and flow, but caught no sound, Though all the rocks might tingle with the din.

Hurled from each other to be dashed again Together in fresh paroxysms of rage, Feathers and flakes leaped from them, and the ground About them was bedewed with the dark drops Wrung from their writhing limbs ; now on the wing, Now trampling the loose sand, they wrestled, smote, Clung, and broke free, as never wild beasts strove ; Till, at the last, the guardian of the cave Fell forward, and lay prone at its foe's feet. Then Abra, from the depths of gloom, drew nigh ; At sight of her the victor bent the knee ; No sign of fear she showed, as in its arms It lifted her in reverence ; leaping up, With vans wide-spread and flickering to the moon ; Over the hollow crags both sank from view. ABDALLAH. Abdallah hung on Selim, his wild eyes All-eloquent, though incoherent words Alone escaped him ; the diverted ray Now showed a chasm of blackness at their feet : As some old monarch of the woods may drive Its searching roots as far within the mould As upward it can toss its tapering crest, So that dark gulf descended for a space Commensurate with the tower's stupendous height.

The prince, beside himself with love and rage, Knew naught of doubt or dread, but with the seer Descended, dauntless, into that grim void. The stikred air blew about them, damp and cold ; A faint light followed, wavered, and died out ; Then only the pulsation of broad vans Breaking their fall was with them, till a splash, And spray dashed in their faces, told descent Had ceased ; but onward still they sped, the flow Of gurgling waters rumbling through the depths Of unknown night, and whispers eddying round, Like pantings of an undeveloped world. At length, far off, appeared a misty dawn, And when it cleared and widened, crags grew up And opened out a passage, whence they rose To the faint twilight of a realm of rocks. The silence of dead centuries, and the calm Of stony rest, invested those dim depths With peacefulness enwrapt in shadowy awe.

But youth and seer shook off the drowsy spell And hastened forward, by the broadening light Directed, till the cavern's dusky halls Were threaded, and they stood beneath the moon. There, as it fell, yet lay the monstrous form ; A fearful and a piteous sight to see : But as they lifted up its battered head, Uttering a mighty cry, it rose erect And snatched at the bright gage Abdallah wore ; ABDALLAH. His scimitar shot forth a lightning flash One instant, then a score of mimic moons Showed where its shattered fragments strewed the sand ; As Selim interposed, one ponderous wing Brushed him aside ; Abdallah's dagger glanced As from a coat of mail ; he looked on life As lost, and nerved himself to die a prince, When at his feet his dread assailant fell Beneath a blow that echoed round the rocks Like thunder, and their messenger, come back Across the cliffs, bent low before the sage.

Within the dark recesses shrank anew The doubly vanquished foe, the victor hurled A massive crag to quicken its retreat, Then with huge boulders blocked the ragged rift. One re-assuring word Abdallah caught, Then felt himself uplifted, like a babe Upon its mother's breast ; and far below Lay the long line of crags, the woodland scene A twinkling patch fast fading, with the moon And stars a glorious host about his head. Such peace through those cerulean spaces reigned, Best, not of apathy, but wakeful calm Sweeter than sleep, enfolded him, till years And moments seemed the same and earth outworn. When, with a shock, his senses tingled back, He stood within the walls that girt a town Of silent temples under tufted palms ; All glimmering white, save where the shadows fell Like clouds that fleck, but not conceal, the noon.

A rush of wings, a dark spot in the blue, And like a pebble dropped amid the waves And lost for ever, seemed his bygone life. Then from the lofty minarets faintly fell The call to prayer, a muffled sound of feet Bestrained, and rustling garments of a crowd With murmurous voices, softly floated round ; ABDALLAH. But only the charmed trees and dreamy fanes Bevealed themselves beneath the breathless heavens. The service ceased, the sounds dispersed and died, And not a zephyr broke the solemn hush. And when Abdallah moved, his footfall seemed Profanity, his flitting shadow, black Upon the spotless walls, a prying fiend, And all the living world a vanished dream. At length, what looked a mighty bird of prey Bearing a powerless victim to its young, Grew on his gaze ; and, settling at his feet, Developed Selim and the vassal Shape.

Beside the central mosque, a placid pool Expanded like a giant's shield, its boss An island with a pagod domed with gold, Its surface silver where encrusted stars And gleams of steely blue alternate shone. Again the flying form uplifted each And crossed the flood, then pointing to a gate Pure as a pearl, sprang up and soared away Ere coming dawn should turn the planets pale. They entered, with soft music rippling down Through odorous air, where slender columns propped The distant dome, whose concave flashed and glowed Lighting rich hangings and a wide divan. And there a figure, motionless and mute, Clothed as in Abra's vesture, shot a thrill Through all Abdallah's being ; but a shock Of numbing fear succeeded, when he knelt And found the hand he fain had clasped was stone, Form, features, rigid ; all the senses quenched.

He turned to question Selim, and beheld A petrifaction, powerless to proceed Or retrograde, with closed eyes as in sleep. Why he should still be wakeful in that home ABDALLAH. Of somnolence akin to stony death, Abdallah strove to fathom, sore perplexed. But deadlier terror chilled him when he plucked His kinsman by the robe, and with a crash That echoed through the hall, the ponderous form Fell and lay shattered at his very feet. And in the torturing silence that ensued, A reminiscence flashed across his mind, How once himself had seen a lion slain While one of its own cubs stood by amazed, Nor thought of flight, incredulous that its sire, The regal beast, could thus, indeed, lie dead. And like its features, so, he felt, his own, Though drawn with fear, showed dubious wonder too Sad to the soul, beside the still recess Where Abra, or her semblance wrought like life, In pulseless calm reposed, he turned anew, To search if on the hand his signet shone.

And as he softly drew the dainty robe With awe aside, he saw the lustrous gem, Whose small spark, like a trembling star of hope Through parting clouds, beamed on his life afresh, Not comfortless, though clothed in mystery yet. Scarce to the folded fingers had he pressed His reverent lips, when, lo, he heard a sigh ; And lifting up his eyes beheld the head, Half raised, sink back, once more a shape of stone. Caressingly he held the hand anew, Entreating for a word ; but long in vain : Till, all at once, a languid utterance stole On his enraptured ears ; but died, abrupt, As once again he rose, and caught a shade Of disappointment on the marble face. A prey to torturing doubt, though pierced with love, He gazed, irresolute, on the beauteous form, So sweet yet so mysterious ; thence glanced back To the dread fragments scarce within the door ; Then, half despairing, sank upon his knees And wildly clasped anew the small cold hand : ABDALLAH.

Again the voice, beseeching him to stay Even as he knelt, and swerve not for his life — Or rather hers who spoke, restored his soul Within him and renewed his pulses' flow. With wonder shadowing all his love, he learned Her nature, like the film by sunset flushed Where heaven and earth in vaporous union blend, Was dual, for her glorious beauty owned Her mother of the genii, but her sire A mortal — though a king of mightiest sway. Hence through the softness of a child of Eve A statelier splendour shone with star-like calm. In trials, as in parentage, apart From mere humanity, her loftier woes Could rob no ray from those immortal eyes, Nor barely tincture the celestial tones That soothed Abdallah's senses like a spell. Yet fits of indignation, like the boom Of nearing thunder though the skies are calm, Shook him from time to time, and his warm grasp Tightened, as she outpoured her piteous tale.

Taught by his radiant queen, her dauntless sire Had exorcised from his domains a throng, Malevolent, restless, ruthless, wily, fell. This to revenge, herself, by subtle means Entrapped and borne beyond his power, was doomed Beneath a brute's exterior to conceal Celestial strivings and keen human pangs, Till, moved by pure compassion, one of earth, Unwitting whom he served, should set her free. Even this accomplished by Abdallah's hand, The powers of darkness strove for mastery still ; And, but for happiest chance, had yet prevailed. One of a subject race to that high line Whence sprang her mother, was the victor Shape That, at her bidding, bore her from the cave, To rest in that enchanted town awhile ; ABDALLAH. Till with a fitting escort her fond sire Should come and lead her like a princess back.

Such was, in brief, the tale Abdallah gleaned With sympathetic ears ; at every pause Eevolving how from the congealing spell Immunity was his ; nay, Abra's self Loosed somewhat while he bent to mark her words. When, at the close, he raised himself to speak, Again she sank down breathless and benumbed ; But, lo, her gift that lay above his heart Caught and flashed back the radiance from the roof, And shot a world of meaning through his mind. His trembling fingers eagerly detached The glittering badge, a warm gust shook the hall, And whispers tingled, as on her fair neck He laid it, and she rose up flushed and free ; But darkness smote him, and his senses slept. And when the light stole back anew, a throng Of images so threatening clustered round, Returning life became a thing of dread ; Till through his languorous pain seraphic speech Pulsated, and, by slow degrees, the hall Besumed its true proportions, and the form So close beside him, Abra's perfect self.

On him she laid her high behest, to take Her gage afresh and seek one strong to aid — Her kinswoman the Mistress of the Birds, While she in stony resignation slept. Himself had borne the weight of slumberous years And let his love go free, but that her wish Was paramount and her decision law. A marvellous parting theirs, for lovers bound By every hope of life and every wish : Vitality in full possessed alone By one, yet interchangeable and passed From each to each as the bright circlet passed, Dark somnolence for ever following close. ABDALLAH. 13 The sun was shining on the towers and palms When, following Abra's words, Abdallah strode Through silent spaces and deserted streets And gained the gateway in the further wall. There, when the ghostly summons called to prayer Afresh, and unseen crowds again drew nigh, He joined in the devotions till the groups Dispersed anew, then, lifting up his voice, Claimed his release ; at once, as if self-moved, The bolts were drawn, the doors thrown open wide ; And forth he fared, upon a level land Bounded by lofty hills with bare bright peaks, And drowsy forests darkening at their feet.

Despite the heat, he pressed across the plain, Till day was wellnigh done : beneath the boughs He marked a ruined tower, and looked for rest, Perchance a well, within its sheltering shade. He scarce had gained it, when a dazzling maid Came forth and offered him to drink ; he took The cup, but as he raised it, from the wall A lizard slipped and splashed into the draught, And unawares he let the vessel fall. He saw the sward turn black, and missed the maid ; An owl shrank from his gaze in the wrecked shrine, Else vacant ; and the goblet at his feet, But now of silver, was a shrivelled gourd. By this the woodland depths grew dark with night, But Abra's badge emitted wondrous beams That flashed far round and scared the cowering forms Lurking behind the boles, as, too perturbed To heed his weariness, he wandered on ; Till by a hollow tree he found a spring, Boughs bent with fruit, and shelter for repose.

Deep in the forest, flower-sprent sward and groves On every side, dense foliage closing all, Bose a vast central trunk, with slighter stems Upbearing lateral boughs, and matted leaves ABDALLAH. Boosing cool colonnades of growing shafts, Where fiercest noon shed but a shadowy light. There had the pensive Mistress of the Birds Found a congenial home, far off from stir Of human life, lulled by the languid leaves, And warbled snatches, to perpetual peace. When that green arbour grew upon his gaze, Abdallah was convoyed by fluttering flocks That crowded round him fearlessly, with some Preceding, as to herald his approach. A form more graceful than the willow bough Awaited him, when, with the glittering badge In token of his embassy displayed, He paced through dim aisles to the midmost hall, Sweet with fresh flowers, where mellowing beams of day Through wavering umbrage filtered, faintly fell.

Mute were the maidens and the feathery forms Attending her, till all the tale was told. Then she rose up indignant, and a sign Dismissed them with a billowy rush of wings To call the tribes together, and with speed. Anon, from grove and garden, wood and waste, Lone mountain-height, swift stream, lake, and salt sea, The swarms assembled, but to be dispersed, Flock after flock, to scour the region round. Hour followed hour, and group succeeding group Swept back from their long circuits, baffled, weak, And spiritless; worn with an idle quest. Then day departed, and the whispering woods Breathed in low sighs, impatient for the moon. But ere the silver radiance stole through glades Of amplest freedom, came a noiseless troop, On wings of down, close-guarding in their midst A prisoner in apparel like their own.

Resplendent in her just displeasure stood The Mistress of the Birds, her faultless form Dilated, lightnings flashing from her eyes, And awful as a thunder-cloud her brow, ABDALLAH. As the resisting captive was dragged down By beak and claw, and flung beneath a net Whose magic meshes drove it to despair. A chamber scooped within the living trunk Received them, and across its door the net Was stretched — a barrier naught of earth, nor air, Nor fire could burst ; save innocence alone. — Then with stern dignity the conquering queen Waved a bright wand above the culprit's head : The plumy vestments vanished, and, behold, A startling shape, half woman half afrite, Rose, panting, in the place of the lost bird. Vain was defiance ; like a splintered lance Her evil power fell from her when a chain, Light but invincible, controlled her limbs, And a thin robe, that fell in glimmering folds About her shapely figure, held it fast From further change, strive as its wearer would.

Then from the fiery nature sense of right Or ruth had never moved, the closer dread Of dark age-long existence in a tree Cleft to receive its prisoner but to close Its living walls the firmer, with a twine Of tendrils clasped and sealed with the great name The whole black legions shrink from, wrung a vow Of restitution, as the conqueror willed. So foeth on floating cars, by marshalled flocks Smoothly propelled, the Mistress of the Birds, Her Captive, and Abdallah, with a host Of winged attendants, sped across the space Between the City of Shadows and the woods ; And when the first call on the faithful stole Through the dusk air from growing tower to tower, Swept down and softly settled on the walls. The worship ended, once again the cars Were lifted, and the Sorceress, with the Queen And Prince on either hand, was borne above All quarters of the city, glittering rain ABDALLAH.