1. His name was Yahya, and he would keep
Appointments, though inclined to deceit,

2. The first time he came like an oarsman lost,
Who leaves fate to guide where the oar is tossed.

3. Next morning he knocked and glanced furtively,
Like an heir who's given to prodigality.

4. He swayed up to greet me, the porch a bower
That breathed perfumes round him, an odorous shower.

5. The second time he came I felt him fingering
A garment, soft as the downy wing

6. Of an ostrich, that each singing sprite
Had flung o'er his shoulders, fold on fold quite.

7. What lay beneath the robe? A lifeless sea
That heaved unwillingly sluggishly,

8. And an orient pearl ran up to my window small,
Entreating, but vanished beyond recall.

9. He came again. I heard a lover's tread
Rustle in bridal robes carmine red.

10. I called "Husayn." The answer came
From water gurgling in vessels of brass.

11. So up the slope of a fragrant hill I went,
But he eluded the hand's attempt

12. To seize him. Here is a shine, a sacred fane,
Of memories of dawn and of winds astir at noon,

13. Of evening's gentle and wistful tune.
Yet he gallops off on a magic steed.

14. He promised, but promises the truth belie,
While green leaves dance on the willow tree.

15. So he lingers on like a pedlar, praising
His bargain, vaunting his wares amazing.

16. He comes, ere sunset, to call on her sire,
Then fools me, leads me on, fans desire.

17. He loiters by her door, sipping coffee,
Posturing, idle, like a guard set free.

18. I saw her once, in maidenly plight,
Like a field of narcissus, dazzling white.

19. 'Twas at his homecoming, in the tender green
Of eve; the meadow, the river-all serene.

20. Behind the pane she flirted and displayed
A mane that rivalled the westering sun's cascade.

21. She was singing then, and dresses chose,
At times the diaphanous undershose

22. She took off, by the mirror poised half-bare,
Then swayed, as her transparent skirt filled with air.

23. Why did he not call her? How to begin?
Her name slipped from him, she was lost in the din

24. Of commonplaces. With lips ruby-bright,
A summer's snow, a day-star of delight,

25. With glances fawn-like, half defiant half meek,
The road lay empty; only the echoes could speak

26. To him of her, whisper to him her scented name.
Dazed and content, like a child now roused from a dream

27. He repeated it over, the taste made intent;
A generous whisper changed to a storm, all pent.

28. He built up a kingdom and conquered the heights,
Became the world's master, low necks and proud knights

29. His slaves. And he burst into song; a great throng
Hailed him, in a great hall applauded him long.

30. The wine flowed around him. "Antar" he then grew,
With the heart of a lion. Like "Abd Manaf's" son now,

31. He burst through the ranks, laid a fair maiden low
By force, as the sword-blades sliced to and fro.

32. His name was on every tongue, every bell
Rang out the great deeds chronicled well

33. In his legend; on mouths of prince and of clown
In town and in countryside he was

34. renown. Then listless again, he strolled through the street,
By commercial grandeur now lured, to compete

35. With millionaires. Money's the best weapon!
Dullards like Mithnna, when once they could step in

36. The Golden Hall, turned great lords from misrule.
I shall outrival all those who had gems, lands or gold,

37. And astonish my grandam, who'll scarcely be told
That the times, though erst barren, have now a rich yield.

38. My mother will light up candles and pray I'll rebuild
Our name into glory, forgetting the past.

39. Again the dream led him on, hopes held him fast.
He promised himself seas of benevolence vast.

40. A wish, and his fancy a music harp cast,
That poured out its measures like stars lucent-bright.

41. A project, and lo it was done ere the night!
To-morrow each maid would tell her mother of him,

42. Hold him a suitor, from sister estranging him.
While damsels would quarrel for admitting his claim,

43. And yield, without asking, to his hand of flame.
Ambition like love took him up to the skies

44. On wings of hope, weaving light fantasies.
When hark! a footfall stealthy, muffled, nigh.

45. A robber? Two cutthroats? His blood ran dry.
The watchman coughed, yawned, stretched himself, like one

46. Deaf, indifferent, incurious, all cares gone.
The steps approached him; the gloom took shape

47. In a tall long form, a black mantle its drape.
A ghost! It stalked him, huge and portentous,

48. Its silence that of a tomb, sepulchral, pesteous.
Past a blind corner ghosts drove him unto

49. Where the night lay still, in terror's glue.
What horror lay in ambush? A jungle

50. Of craggy arms? He walked like one condemned,
On whom fell beasts snarl and glare, self-condemned.

51. A lamp picked him out; he started anon to see
His face, hands and gestures attract calamity.

52. And he saw his own visions, spoiled in their graft,
Like blood on the sword smeared thick after shaft.

53. "He's back, your son," his aunt whispered his mother.
"Pray for him now, wish him well, sister, or smother

54. Your heart in cold fear for a son full of inner strife."