The Slave

He waited till within her tower     Her taper signalled him the hour.     He was a prince both fair and brave. -     What hope that he would love her slave!     He of the Persian dynasty;     And she a Queen of Araby! -     No Peri singing to a star     Upon the sea were lovelier....     I helped her drop the silken rope.     He clomb, aflame with love and hope.     I drew the dagger from my gown     And cut the ladder, leaning down.     Oh, wild his face, and wild the fall:     Her cry was wilder than them all.     I heard her cry; I heard him moan;     And stood as merciless as stone.     The eunuchs came: fierce scimitars     Stirred in the torch-lit corridors.     She spoke like one who speaks in sleep,     And bade me strike or she would leap.     I bade her leap: the time was short:     And kept the dagger for my heart.     She leapt.... I put their blades aside,     And smiling in their faces - died.