One who travel'd in the Desert Saw Majnún where he was sitting All alone like a Magician Tracing Letters in the Sand. "Oh distracted Lover! writing What the Sword-wind of the Desert Undecyphers soon as written, So that none who travels after Shall be able to interpret!"— Majnún answer'd, "I am writing 'Laili'—were it only 'Laili,' Yet a Book of Love and Passion; And with but her Name to dote on, Amorously I caress it As it were Herself and sip Her presence till I drink her Lip." III. When Night had thus far brought me with my Book, In middle Thought Sleep robb'd me of myself; And in a Dream Myself I seemed to see, Walking along a straight and even Road, And clean as is the Soul of the Sufí; A Road whose spotless Surface neither Breeze Lifted in Dust, nor mix'd the Rain to Mire. There I, methought, was pacing tranquilly, When, on a sudden, the tumultuous Shout Of Soldiery behind broke on mine Ear, And took away my Wit and Strength for Fear. I look'd about for Refuge, and Behold! A Palace was before me; whither running For Refuge from the coming Soldiery, Suddenly from the Troop a Sháhzemán, By Name and Nature Hasan—on the Horse Of Honour mounted—robed in Royal Robes, And wearing a White Turban on his Head, Turn'd his Rein tow'rd me, and with smiling Lips Open'd before my Eyes the Door of Peace. Then, riding up to me, dismounted; kiss'd My Hand, and did me Courtesy; and I, How glad of his Protection, and the Grace He gave it with!—Who then of gracious Speech Many a Jewel utter'd; but of these Not one that in my Ear till Morning hung. When, waking on my Bed, my waking Wit I question'd what the Vision meant, it answered; "This Courtesy and Favour of the Shah Foreshadows the fair Acceptance of thy Verse, Which lose no moment pushing to Conclusion." This hearing, I address'd me like a Pen To steady Writing; for perchance, I thought, From the same Fountain whence the Vision grew The Interpretation also may come True.