He bore her like a sparrow from the room:
But not content with such a charming fair,
He took her diamonds, ornaments for hair,
And those dear pledges ladies oft receive,
When they a lover’s ardent flame believe.
Indeed, I’ve heard it hinted as a truth,
(And very probable for such a youth,)
That Hispal, while on board, his flame revealed;
And what chagrin she felt was then concealed,
The passage thinking an improper time,
To shew a marked displeasure at his crime.
Thepirate-chief who carried off his prey,
Had
short-lived joy, for, wishing to convey
His
charming captive from the ship with speed;
One
vessel chanced a little to recede,
Although
securely fastened by the crew,
With
grappling hooks, as usually they do,
When
quite intent to pass, young Hispal made
A
blow, that dead at once the ruffian laid;
His
head and shoulders, severed from the trunk;
Fell
in the sea, and to the bottom sunk,
Abjuring
Mahomet, and all the tribe
Of
idle prophets, Catholics proscribe;
Erect
the rest upon the legs remained;
The
very posture as before retained;
This
curious sight no doubt a laugh had raised,—
But
in the moment, she, so lately praised,
With
dread Grifonio, fell beyond their view;
To
save her, straight the gallant Hispal flew.
The
ships, for want of pilots at the helm,
At
random drifted over Neptune’s realm.
Grimdeath the pirate forced to quit his slave;
Buoyed
up by clothes, she floated on the wave,
’Till
Hispal succour lent, who saw ’twas vain
To
try with her the vessel to regain.
He
could, with greater ease, the fair convey
To
certain rocks, and thither bent his way;
Those
rocks to sailors oft destruction proved,
But
now the couple saved, who thither moved:
’Tis
even said the jewels were not lost,
But
sweet Alaciel, howsoever tost,
Preserved
the caskets, which with strings were tied;
And
seizing these, the treasure drew aside.
Ourswimmer on his back the princess bore;
The
rock attained; but hardships were not o’er;
Misfortunes
dire the noble pair pursued
And
famine, worst of ills, around was viewed.
No
ship was near; the light soon passed away;
The
night the same; again appeared the day;
No
vessel hove in sight; no food to eat;
Our
couple’s wretchedness seemed now complete;
Hope
left them both, and, mutual passion moved,
Their
situation more tormenting proved.