RECOLLECTIONS OF THE ARABIAN NIGHTS. 21 II. Anight my shallop, rustling thro' The low and bloomed foliage, drove The citron-shadows in the blue: By garden porches on the brim, The costly doors flung open wide, Of good Haroun Alraschid. III. Often, where clear-stemm'd platans guard The outlet, did I turn away The boat-head down a broad canal From the main river sluiced, where all The sloping of the moon-lit sward Was damask-work, and deep inlay Of braided blooms unmown, which crept Adown to where the waters slept. A goodly place, a goodly time, For it was in the golden prime Of good Haroun Alraschid! IV. A motion from the river won Ridged the smooth level, bearing on My shallop through the star-strown calm, I enter'd, from the clearer light, Imbower'd vaults of pillar'd palm, Imprisoning sweets, which, as they clomb Heavenward, were stay'd beneath the dome Of hollow boughs. A goodly time, For it was in the golden prime Of good Haroun Alraschid! V. Still onward; and the clear canal Is rounded to as clear a lake. From the green rivage many a fall Of diamond rillets musical, Thro' little crystal arches low Down to the central fountain's flow Of good Haroun Alraschid ! VI. Above thro' many a bowery turn With disks and tiars, fed the time Of good Haroun Alraschid. VII. Far off, and where the lemon-grove In closest coverture upsprung, The living airs of middle night VIII. Black the garden-bowers and grots Slumber'd: the solemn palms were ranged Above, unwoo'd of summer wind: A sudden splendour from behind Flush'd all the leaves with rich gold-green, And, flowing rapidly between Their interspaces, counterchanged The level lake with diamond-plots Of dark and bright. A lovely time, For it was in the golden prime Of good Haroun Alraschid! IX. Dark-blue the deep sphere overhead, Distinct with vivid stars inlaid, Grew darker from that under-flame : So, leaping lightly from the boat, In marvel whence that glory came In cool soft turf upon the bank, Entranced with that place and time, So worthy of the golden prime Of good Haroun Alraschid. X. Thence thro' the garden I was drawn A realm of pleasance, many a mound, And many a shadow-chequer'd lawn Full of the city's stilly sound. |