Page:Thalaba the Destroyer 1809 Vol 1 - Southey.djvu/23

I. 5

Stunn’d with the heavy woe, she felt like one
Half-waken’d from a midnight dream of blood.
But sometimes when the boy
Would wet her hand with tears,
And, looking up to her fix’d countenance,
Sob out the name of Mother, then did she
Utter a feeble groan.
At length collecting, Zeinab turn’d her eyes
To heaven, exclaiming, “Praised be the Lord!
“He gave, he takes away!
“The Lord our God is good!”

“Good is he!” cried the boy,
“Why are my brethren and my sisters slain?
“Why is my father kill’d?
“Did ever we neglect our prayers,
“Or ever lift a hand unclean to heaven?
“Did ever stranger from our tent
“Unwelcom’d turn away?
“Mother, he is not good!”

Then Zeinab beat her breast in agony;
“O God forgive my child!