"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 assassination 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.
That spot of blood, that light but guilty streak,
Had banish'd all the beauty from her cheek!"