Classic Poem

CALI.
Could omens fright the resolute and wise,
Well might we fear impending disappointments.

LEONTIUS.
Your artful suit, your monarch's fierce denial,
The cruel doom of hapless Menodorus--

DEMETRIUS.
And your new charge, that dear, that heav'nly maid--

LEONTIUS.
All this we know already from Abdalla.

DEMETRIUS.
Such slight defeats but animate the brave
To stronger efforts and maturer counsels.

CALI.
My doom confirm'd establishes my purpose.
Calmly he heard, till Amurath's resumption
Rose to his thought, and set his soul on fire:
When from his lips the fatal name burst out,
A sudden pause th' imperfect sense suspended,
Like the dread stillness of condensing storms.

DEMETRIUS.
The loudest cries of nature urge us forward;
Despotick rage pursues the life of Cali;
His groaning country claims Leontius' aid;
And yet another voice, forgive me, Greece,
The pow'rful voice of love, inflames Demetrius;
Each ling'ring hour alarms me for Aspasia.

CALI.
What passions reign among thy crew, Leontius?
Does cheerless diffidence oppress their hearts?
Or sprightly hope exalt their kindling spirits?
Do they, with pain, repress the struggling shout,
And listen eager to the rising wind?

LEONTIUS.
All there is hope, and gaiety, and courage,
No cloudy doubts, or languishing delays;
Ere I could range them on the crowded deck,
At once a hundred voices thunder'd round me,
And ev'ry voice was liberty and Greece.

DEMETRIUS.
Swift let us rush upon the careless tyrant,
Nor give him leisure for another crime.

LEONTIUS.
Then let us now resolve, nor idly waste
Another hour in dull deliberation.

CALI.
But see, where destin'd to protract our counsels,
Comes Mustapha.--Your Turkish robes conceal you.
Retire with speed, while I prepare to meet him
With artificial smiles, and seeming friendship.