Chapter I

_Slaves._--Good it is to rest the weary body in the light of the moon
’Neath the palms here. Feasting over, our custodian sleeps now;
Sit down ’mongst us, tuneful comrade, and thy sweetly sounding strings
tune;
Let thy song reveal the golden thoughts spun in your dreamy brow.

_A Slave Girl._--Sing of flowers and stars!

_A Young Slave._--Praise sing thou to a maid’s fair form and eye.

_Another._--Ring the bells of jest.

_An Old Man._--Disclose the deeds of ages long gone by.

_The Bard._--Other themes by far to-day resound through my unhappy
soul,
Like the roar and rumble of the storms that o’er the heavens roll.
Far from these are flowery adornment, girlish grace, and heroes’
pride:
Sighs, groans, gnash of teeth and clash of chains now in my themes
abide.

_Slaves._--Clash of chains is but a common strain to us, yet play and
sing;
Subdue thy voice, lest our sleeping lords and guard the whip to you
bring.