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PRINCE AHMED AND THE FAIRY.
A Sketch from the Arabian nights.
On he past
Through the strange cavern: still a distant sound
Of music led him on; and still a light,
A faint and lovely light, played o'er his way,
And shewed the walls, where ev'ry gem of earth
Shone with the hues of heaven: deeply blue,
The sapphire softened the red ruby's blaze;
The ethereal diamond and green emerald
Made it seem like the palace of a king.
Still follow'd the young prince the graceful light,
That like a spirit danced before his path;
At last, a fresher air passed o'er his brow—
Fresh, but as sweet as if its course had been
Over a thousand roses; and the flame,
His sparkling guide, vanish'd when the clear sky,
Fountains, and trees, and flow'rs grew visible.
And Ahmed saw a lovely garden spread,
As if it were the Summer's favourite home;
The turf was like a Persian carpet, dight
With myriads of gay colours; and rich beds
Of tulips, earth's bright rainbows, seemed to hold
Divided wealth with the gold amaranth.
Kings of the solitude, gigantic palms,
Held shadowy empire, and like lovers hung
Over the delicate acacia's boughs,
