Page 136 - The model orator, or, Young folks' speaker : containing the choicest recitations and readings from the best authors for schools, public entertainments, social gatherings, Sunday schools, etc. : including recitals in prose and verse ...

Zaraf: rails— n friend in need— his master knows full well;
Oh, could he mount that gallant steed— then A c re ’s tents farewell!
His captor’s eyes are closed in sleep, lie groans with racking pain—.
The cruel cords iue cutting .still in quivering muscles bare;
But naught can curb his iron will— no wailing o f despair.
One purpose firm the Arab chief now nerves Ids utmost power—
Tiien welcome all the panys of death and slav'rv’s darkest hour.
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"P o o r friend/’ he said, in accents low, as at his feet he l a y --
Zarafi bends his crest o f snow and licks his tears away—
“ Go forth across the burning sands where Jordan’s ir.fant stream
Descends to Zion's holy lands, the prophets’ ancient dream—
T o Zeenab’s tent— oh, speed thee well— my courser swift and strong.
W here fair Arabia's mountains swell the -and o f love and song.
Oh, put Ihv head within the door— oh, speak with lovino eves!
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Tell her El Mart returns no more, in slavery’s bonds he dies.
"But thou art free! no Turk shall ride :v.y proud Zaraf! \s form,
Tree tis the air, m y Arab pride, swift as the rash Ml g storm.
G o fo it/i! go forth ! with stately grace across the bin ning saud.'i,
A n d look once more in Zeenab’s face and lick my children’s bands.”

H is bleeding mouth untied the knot that held the good steed there,
His Mending tears bedewed (he spot uoon the glossy hair :
T h y turn, Zarafi 1 bend thy crest, and lift thy master now,
T h y limbs must know no laggard rest, thy breath is on his brow.
Me lifts him to bis back. A s breaks the opening day—
Swift as an arrow from the bow Zarafi speeds away.
Beneath the sun, oh, storied hmd, witii energies unspent,
The g ood steed spurns the burning sand, his goal is Zeenab’s tent.
Each bubbling spring that marks the way Zarafi knows full well ;
Each tree that screens from burning ray, he knows cadi shaded del:,
Nor stays he by the grassy run, a or in the shade’s cool brealh,
T hough strained is now' each aching limb, though every stride is deoij).