Page:Oriental Sketches Dramatic Sketches and Tales.pdf/226

    Land, where the conquering Saracen made
    Tower and palace arise from the glade,
Giving records sublime of the day of his power—
    Land, where the temple and minaret smiled
    Mid gardens with purple and ruby buds piled,
The haunt of dark beauties in youth's freshest hour.

    Land, where the Moor proudly rode o'er the plain
    With pomp and with cymbal and drum in his train,
To the tilt, where the knighthood of Christendom flung
    Their pennons on high, and each chieftain's advance
    Was marked by the shock of the broad-sword and lance,
While the lists, far and wide, with their martial deeds rung.

    Land, where love's influence strongly displayed,
    The youth of Castile and the dark Arab maid
Were oft linked in soft bands only broken by death—
    Land, where the Moor in captivity sweet
    Sighed his fond vows at some fair Spaniard's feet,
As she bent o'er his forehead her rose-scented breath.