Part 7 (1/2)

Conrad was not, and could not be, mean and selfish. A selfish Conrad would be an absurdity. His motives are not gross -

”he shuns the grosser joys of sense, ”His mind seems nourished by that abstinence.”

He is protected by a charm against undistinguis.h.i.+ng l.u.s.t -

”Though fairest captives daily met his eye, He shunn'd, nor sought, but coldly pa.s.s'd them by;”

and even Gulnare, his deliverer, fails to seduce him.

Mr. Ruskin observes that Byron makes much of courage. It is Conrad, the leader, who undertakes the dangerous errand of surprising Seyd; it is he who determines to save the harem. His courage is not the mere excitement of battle. When he is captured -

”A conqueror's more than captive's air is seen,”

and he is not insensible to all fear.

”Each has some fear, and he who least betrays, The only hypocrite deserving praise.

One thought alone he could not--dared not meet-- 'Oh, how these tidings will Medora greet?'”

Gulnare announces his doom to him, hut he is calm. He cannot stoop even to pray. He has deserted his Maker, and it would be baseness now to prostrate himself before Him.

”I have no thought to mock his throne with prayer Wrung from the coward crouching of despair; It is enough--I breathe--and I can bear.”

He has no martyr-hope with which to console himself; his endurance is of the finest order--simple, sheer resolution, a resolve that with no reward, he will never disgrace himself. He knows what it is

”To count the hours that struggle to thine end, With not a friend to animate, and tell To other ears that death became thee well,”

but he does not break down.

Gulnare tries to persuade him that the only way by which he can save himself from tortures and impalement is by the a.s.sa.s.sination of Seyd, but he refuses to accept the terms -

”Who spares a woman's seeks not slumber's life” -

and dismisses her. When she has done the deed and he sees the single spot of blood upon her, he, the Corsair, is unmanned as he had never been in battle, prison, or by consciousness of guilt.

”But ne'er from strife--captivity--remorse-- From all his feelings in their inmost force-- So thrill'd--so shudder'd every creeping vein, As now they froze before that purple stain.