(TO E. H. P.) MELIK the Sultan, tired and wan, Nodded at noon on his divan. Beside the fountain lingered near JAMIL the bard, and the vizier -- Old YUSUF, sour and hard to please; Then JAMIL sang, in words like these. Slim is Butheina -- slim is she As boughs of the Araka tree! 'Nay,' quoth the other, teeth between, 'Lean, if you will, -- I call her lean.' Sweet is Butheina -- sweet as wine, With smiles that like red bubbles shine! 'True, -- by the Prophet!' YUSUF said. 'She makes men wander in the head!' Dear is Butheina -- ah! more dear Than all the maidens of Kashmeer! 'Dear,' came the answer, quick as thought, 'Dear .. and yet always to be bought.' So JAMIL ceased. But still Life's page Shows diverse unto YOUTH and AGE: And -- be the song of ghouls or gods -- TIME, like the Sultan, sits .. and nods. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...THE PHOSPHORESCENT MAN by KAREN SWENSON THAT HOLY THING by GEORGE MACDONALD SONG OF SLAVES IN THE DESERT by JOHN GREENLEAF WHITTIER SACRED LYRIC by ISIDORE G. ASCHER FOUR SONNETS: 4 by FRANK DAVIS ASHBURN |