1. In a vast desert where no stars shine
A traveler moves on without guide or sign

2. The brushwood kindles as if set aflame
In the black night's hand a gold coin

3. The winds fling therein the high dunes about
Like waves that surge and swirl in angry rout

4. The dark embraced me and there wandered round
A wolf that blent with night in eerie shout

5. A fascinating prince of stately mien
A wily youth in mirthful mood is seen

6. The dew has wet the face of dawn and fared
A shudder o’er a temple the day has seared

7. I wandered in a night no light revealed
Except my fire that flamed when danger speared

8. I sported then in robes by darkness dressed
That night’s stars did clasp and stud in glittering crest

9. The night walks with steps shortened in her pace
Though long the nights for them who nightly race

10. From Pleiades his brow is grey with eld
With age is Sirius’ visage darkness-spelled