Page:Oriental Sketches Dramatic Sketches and Tales.pdf/77

Unarmed—unknowing where to fly,
    Each half intoxicated slave
Sank horror stricken from the blaze
Of Juffeir Khan's indignant gaze!
Deeming the rebel recreant crew
    Too worthless for his righteous sword,
Upon his brother's throat he flew,
    And dragged him from the guilty board—
Beneath the stern avenger's grasp
    Meer Asiph for an instant quailed,
But struggling in the deadly clasp
    His giant strength at length prevailed;
His powerful hands were disengaged,
And equally the combat raged.
In dumb suspense the vassals viewed
The progress of the mortal feud;
Still in each other's fierce embrace
    Across the wide and slippery hall,
Without a moment's breathing space
    They reached the fort's surrounding wall.