I buckle to my slender side br The pistol and the scimitar, br And in my maiden flower and pride br Am come to share the tasks of war. br And yonder stands my fiery steed, br That paws the ground and neighs to go, br My charger of the Arab breed,-- br I took him from the routed foe. br br My mirror is the mountain spring, br At which I dress my ruffled hair; br My dimmed and dusty arms I bring, br And wash away the blood-stain there. br Why should I guard from wind and sun br This cheek, whose virgin rose is fled? br It was for one--oh, only one-- br I kept its bloom, and he is dead. br br But they who slew him--unaware br Of coward murderers lurking nigh-- br And left him to the fowls of air, br Are yet alive--and they must die. br They slew him--and my virgin years br Are vowed to Greece and vengeance now, br And many an Othman dame, in tears, br Shall rue the Grecian maiden's vow. br br I touched the lute in better days, br I led in dance the joyous band; br Ah! they may move to mirthful lays br Whose hands can touch a lover's hand. br The march of hosts that haste to meet br Seems gayer than the dance to me; br The lute's sweet tones are not so sweet br As the fierce shout of victory.