BEN YOUSSUF, bound to Mecca, day by day Toiled bravely o'er the desert's fiery way, Till its hot sands and flint-sown courses sore Pressed on the broidered sandals which he wore, Scorching and cutting! at the last they fell Loosely abroad; -- he seemed to fare through hell, So blistering now, the flame-hued rocks and dust: -- "O mighty Allah!" cried he, "art thou just, To let thy faithful pilgrim, serving thee, Pass onward, thus, in nameless agony?" With bitter thoughts and half-rebellious mind He left, at length, the desert sands behind, And still in that dark temper -- far from grace -- Went where his brethren midst the holy place Kneeled, by the @3Caaba's@1 sanctity enthralled; -- Lo! there he marked a smitten wretch who crawled Nearer the shrine, on bleeding hands and knees, Yet his deep eyes were stars of prayer and peace; -- And ah, how Youssuf's heart remorseful beat, To find @3he@1 lacked not only shoes, but -- feet! | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...TO THE UNKNOWN EROS: BOOK 1: 10. THE TOYS by COVENTRY KERSEY DIGHTON PATMORE A BROADWAY PAGEANT by WALT WHITMAN TO A COUNTRY HOTEL TOWEL by ELMER CLEVELAND ADAMS INSTRUCTIONS, SUPPOSED TO BE WRITTEN IN PARIS, FOR THE MOB IN ENGLAND by MARY (CUMBERLAND) ALCOCK FROM HIDDEN SOURCE by JEAN ANDERSON PSALM 19 by OLD TESTAMENT BIBLE CROWNED AND WEDDED by ELIZABETH BARRETT BROWNING THE FIRST SONG by RICHARD EUGENE BURTON OUR OLD CENTER-TOWN VERMONT MEETINGHOUSE by DANIEL LEAVENS CADY |