1. A friendly camp whose tents defend from biting frost,
Where sleeps the one I fear for, though secure from harm.

2. The sand creeps up, approaching it, while from the dark
Of night a green wind wanders, softly murmuring.

3. When crafty he descends, he gains his heart's desire,
Although when fearful crashings sound he cowers back.

4. More than I charged him with he brings me, though as yet
Ungrateful, she disowns it all and then denies.

5. And if she called my name I would reply at once,
For names unchanged persist though times and men may change.

6. "Does not the whiteness of your hair forbid," says he,
"Your courting youth, although you still are in its prime?"

7. "Because I'm eighty?" I reply. "I do not come
Expecting nor expecting to return again from my long absence."

8. My eyes have been denied and she, my soul's delight,
Who long ago when I was a stammering lad disdained me.

9. Yet 'twas no frivolous desire that sought her face;
When I walked out to you I was like one enchained.

10. Our meeting where we met - I only did fulfil
Vows sworn of old and oft repeated o'er again.

11. The night we passed at Hassan's convent and the sobs
Of camels, like enshrouded women, broke our sleep.

12. My camel wept all night until her weeping moved
My heart to long for the Valley's folks once more.

13. She moaned a moaning strange that wrenched my very soul
With longing for a loved one's voice I could not hear.

14. We sat the night between one bound by passion's vow
And one forbidding eyes that would be wet to weep.