This page needs to be proofread.
OMAR AND THE PERSIAN.
79
The Persian smiled, with parched lips, upon the foe-men round,
Then poured the precious liquid out, untasted, on the ground.
"Till that is drunk, I live, said he, and while I live, I fight
So, see you to your victory, for 'tis undone this night
Omar the worthy, battle fair is but thy god-like right.
Upsprang a wrathful army then, — Omar restrained them all,
Upon no battle-field had rung more clear his martial call,
The dead men's hair beside his feet as by a breeze was stirr'd,
The farthest henchman in the camp the noble mandate heard :
"Hold ! if there be a sacred thing, it is the warrior's word."
