Poetry Explorer


Classic and Contemporary Poetry


HAROUN AL-RASHID AND THE DUST by JAMES CLARENCE MANGAN

First Line: I AM BUT DUST, SAID HASSAN, AS HE BOWED
Last Line: BE GOOD ENOUGH TO TELL ME WHAT WIND HAS BLOWN YOU HITHER

I am but dust, said Hassan, as he bowed
His face to earth abashéd;
And in my Khalif's glance I flourish or I wither!
Since you are only dust, replied aloud
The great Haroun Al-Rashid,
Be good enough to say what wind has blown you hither!




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