Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, OUT OF NAZARETH, by JAMES WHITCOMB RILEY


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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

OUT OF NAZARETH, by                 Poet Analysis     Poet's Biography
First Line: He shall sleep unscathed of thieves
Last Line: "who loves allah and believes."
Alternate Author Name(s): Johnson Of Boone, Benj. F.
Subject(s): Crime & Criminals; God; Prayer


"HE shall sleep unscathed of thieves
Who loves Allah and believes."
Thus heard one who shared the tent,
In the far-off Orient,
Of the Bedouin ben Ahrzz --
Nobler never loved the stars.
Through the palm-leaves nigh the dim
Dawn his courser neighed to him!

He said: "Let the sands be swarmed
With such thieves as I, and thou
Shalt at morning rise, unharmed,
Light as eyelash to the brow
Of thy camel, amber-eyed,
Ever munching either side,
Striding still, with nestled knees,
Through the midnight's oases.

"Who can rob thee an thou hast
More than this that thou hast cast
At my feet -- this dust of gold?
Simply this and that, all told!
Hast thou not a treasure of
Such a thing as men call love?

"Can the dusky band I lead
Rob thee of thy daily need
Of a whiter soul, or steal
What thy lordly prayers reveal?
Who could be enriched of thee
By such hoard of poverty
As thy niggard hand pretends
To dole me -- thy worst of friends?
Therefore shouldst thou pause to bless
One indeed who blesses thee:
Robbing thee, I dispossess
But myself. -- Pray thou for me!"

"He shall sleep unscathed of thieves
Who loves Allah and believes."





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