Page:The Works of Lord Byron (ed. Coleridge, Prothero) - Volume 3.djvu/151

And now within the valley bends;^{[lower-roman 1]}
And he bears the gift at his saddle bow—
How could I deem his courser slow?^{[lower-roman 2]}
Right well my largess shall repay
His welcome speed, and weary way."

The Tartar lighted at the gate,
But scarce upheld his fainting weight!^{[lower-roman 3]} 710
His swarthy visage spake distress,
But this might be from weariness;
His garb with sanguine spots was dyed,
But these might be from his courser's side;
He drew the token from his vest—
Angel of Death! 'tis Hassan's cloven crest!
His calpac^{[decimal 1]} rent—his caftan red—
"Lady, a fearful bride thy Son hath wed:
Me, not from mercy, did they spare,
But this empurpled pledge to bear. 720
Peace to the brave! whose blood is spilt:
Woe to the Giaour! for his the guilt."
*****
A Turban^{[decimal 2]} carved in coarsest stone,
A Pillar with rank weeds o'ergrown,

Variants

1. And now his courser's pace amends.—[MS. erased.]
2. I could not deem my son was slow.—[MS. erased.]
3. The Tartar sped beneath the gate
   And flung to earth his fainting weight.—[MS.]

Notes

1. The calpac is the solid cap or centre part of the head-dress; the shawl is wound round it, and forms the turban.
2. The turban, pillar, and inscriptive verse, decorate the tombs of the Osmanlies, whether in the cemetery or the wilderness. In the mountains you frequently pass similar mementos; and on inquiry you are informed that they record some victim of rebellion, plunder, or revenge.
   [The following is a "Koran verse:" "Every one that is upon it (the earth) perisheth; but the person of thy Lord abideth, the possessor of glory and honour" (Sur. lv. 26, 27). (See "Kufic