TO MY KANDJAR .

Allah! 'tis sweet thy blue steel to caress,
Cold, glittering as a star,
And in warm palms its rubied haft to press,
Oh beautiful Kandjar.

I love to follow on its living sheen,
Each undulate, graceful curve,
And count the florid arabesques between,
That fuse and coil and swerve.

From hilt to tip one pure and shining line!
They charm my enamored eyes:
Allah be praised, thy Prophet's word divine
Along each keen side lies.

Friend of my warring life, what makes to-night
Thy flawless splendor fade?
Dost thou need Giaour blood to burn more bright?
Speak, proud and fearless blade.

If so thy thirst my strong hand will refresh,
And floods of gore shalt have,
Drawn from the hated hearts, the quivering flesh
Of Christian, hound and Sclav.