Chinese and Arabian Literature - E. Wilson - The Search For Mecca

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SELECTIONS FROM ARABIAN POETJIY
ON A THUNDER STORM
Bright smil'd the morn, till o'er its head
The clouds in thicken'd foldings spread
A robe of sable hue;
Then, gathering round day's golden king,
They stretch'd their wide o'ershadowing wing.
And hid him from our view.
The rain his absent beams deplor'd,
And, soften'd into weeping, pour'd
Its tears in many a flood
The lightning laughed with horrid glare
The thunder growl'd, in rage; the air
In silent sorrow stood.
Ibrahim Ben Khiret Abou Isaac,
TO MY FAVORITE MISTRESS
I saw their jealous eyeballs roll,
I saw them mark each glance of mine,
I saw thy terrors, and my soul
Shar'd ev'ry pang that tortur'd thine.
In vain to wean my constant heart,
Or quench my glowing flame, they strove
Each deep-laid scheme, each envious art,
But wak'd my fears for her I love.
'Twas this compell'd the stern decree,
That forc'd thee to those distant towers,
And left me nought but love for thee.
To cheer my solitary hours.
Yet let not Abla sink deprest,
Nor separation's pangs deplore;
We meet not — 'tis to meet more blest;
We parted — 'tis to part no more.
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Saif Addaulet, Sultan< of Aleppo.
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