The Bride of Abydos 2-23
  
CANTO THE SECOND.

XXIII.

Dauntless he stood - "'Tis come - soon past -
One kiss, Zuleika - 'tis my last:
But yet my band not far from shore
May hear this signal, see the flash;
Yet now too few - the attempt were rash:
No matter - yet one effort more."
Forth to the cavern mouth he stept;
His pistol's echo rang on high,
Zuleika started not nor wept,
Despair benumb'd her breast and eye! -
"They hear me not, or if they ply
Their oars, 'tis but to see me die;
That sound hath drawn my foes more nigh.
Then forth my father's scimitar,
Thou ne'er hast seen less equal war!
Farewell, Zuleika! - Sweet! retire:
Yet stay within - here linger safe,
At thee his rage will only chafe.
Stir not - lest even to thee perchance
Some erring blade or ball should glance.
Fear'st though for him? - may I expire
If in this strife I seek thy sire!
No - though by him that poison pour'd:
No - though again he call me coward!
But tamely shall I meet their steel?
No - as each crest save his may feel!"

George Gordon Byron, Lord Byron (1788-1824) ByronLong