Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, BOOKRA, by CHARLES DUDLEY WARNER


Poetry Explorer

Classic and Contemporary Poetry

BOOKRA, by                    
First Line: One night I lay asleep in africa
Last Line: Panic and war postponed another day.


As I lay asleep in Italy. -- SHELLEY.

ONE night I lay asleep in Africa,
In a closed garden by the city gate;
A desert horseman, furious and late,
Came wildly thundering at the massive bar,
"Open in Allah's name! Wake, Mustapha!
Slain is the Sultan, -- treason, war, and hate
Rage from Fez to Tetuan! Open straight."
The watchman beard as thunder from afar:
"Go to! In peace this city lies asleep;
To all-knowing Allah 't is no news you bring;"
Then turned in slumber still his watch to keep.
At once a nightingale began to sing,
In oriental calm the garden lay, --
Panic and war postponed another day.





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