And whence is this?--Their youthful chief alone Is gone! but when--or where--to all unknown. His tent is search’d, that night was pass’d not there, His couch untouch’d, his absent steed, declare: Throughout the camp, throughout the martial train, They seek high Ismael,--but they seek in vain.
In anger stern, the chiefs together came, Suspicion black’ning o’er their leader’s name. In speaking silence, each glanc’d round on each, All loath alike to be the first in speech 110 To vent his wrath.--At length, each rolling eye Is turn’d on one, who stands indignant by: Bold was that chief, through all that conq’ring band Not one surpassed the prowess of his hand. But fierce in temper, “turbulent in tongue,” He lov’d to lead the factions of the throng: Abbas, his name. Rage sparkling in his eyes, He mark’d the chiefs, and thus the warrior cries;-- “Say, is it meet, that here, while squadrons stand “To fight and conquer at a boy’s command; 120 “He, he the cause, the leader of the fray, “Is gone in secret, fled, perchance, away? “Say, is it meet, that we, whose rank and fame, “Would some respect from mightier chieftains claim; “Should thus be treated with contemptuous scorn; “By Mahomet, ’tis no longer to be borne! “Nor shall ye bear it! rouse, and let us own “This wretch unworthy of so great a throne.” Thus far he said, when to the listening heav’n A long, loud shout of “Ismael! Ismael” ’s given. 130 All that wide camp re-echoed with the name, So high in glory, and so dear to fame. And now towards the chieftain’s ample tent, The clanging sounds of scouring steed are bent. And each on each the assembled leaders gaze, Fix’d to their stations in profound amaze.
And Ismael enter’d on that busy scene, With bearing princely, and with brow serene; Saluting all around with regal grace, He took his station in the vacant place. 140 Straight to the earth, was bent each look of shame; Straight o’er each cheek, the tingling colour came; So motionless was ev’ry chieftain there, That scarce a breathing died upon the car.
High Ismael rose!--in language short and cold, Began th’ adventures of the night t’ unfold. _The cause of all_, alone forbears to tell, _His seeking her_ his bosom lov’d so well.