Said Hoseyn, "God gives each man one life, like a lamp, then gives That lamp due measure of oil; lamp lighted--hold high, wave wide Its comfort for others to share! once quench it, what help is 45 left? The oil of your lamp is your son, I shine while Muleykeh lives. Would I beg your son to cheer my dark if Muleykeh died? It is life against life--what good avails to the life-bereft?" Another year, and--hist! What craft is it Duhl designs? He alights not at the door of the tent as he did last time, 50 But, creeping behind, he gropes his stealthy way by the trench Half-round till he finds the flap in the folding, for night combines With the robber--and such is he: Duhl, covetous up to crime, Must wring from Hoseyn's grasp the Pearl, by whatever the wrench. "He was hunger-bitten, I heard; I tempted with half my store, 55 And a gibe was all my thanks. Is he generous like Spring dew? Account the fault to me who chaffered with such an one! He has killed, to feast chance comers, the creature he rode; nay, more-- For a couple of singing-girls his robe has he torn in two-- I will beg! Yet I nowise gained by the tale of my wife and 60 son. "I swear by the Holy House, my head will I never wash Till I filch his Pearl away. Fair dealing I tried, then guile, And now I resort to force. He said we must live or die; Let him die, then--let me live! Be bold--but not too rash! I have found me a peeping-place; breast, bury your breathing 65 while I explore for myself! Now, breathe! He deceived me not, the spy! "As he said--there lies in peace Hoseyn--how happy! Beside Stands tethered the Pearl; thrice winds her headstall about his wrist; 'Tis therefore he sleeps so sound--the moon through the roof reveals. And, loose on his left, stands too that other, known far and 70 wide, Buheyseh, her sister born; fleet is she yet ever missed The winning tail's fire-flash a-stream past the thunderous heels. "No less she stands saddled and bridled, this second, in case some thief Should enter and seize and fly with the first, as I mean to do. What then? The Pearl is the Pearl--once mount her we both 75 escape." Through the skirt-fold in glides Duhl--so a serpent disturbs no leaf In a bush as he parts the twigs entwining a nest; clean through, He is noiselessly at his work; as he planned, he performs the rape. He has set the tent-door wide, has buckled the girth, has clipped The headstall away from the wrist he leaves thrice bound as 80 before, He springs on the Pearl, is launched on the desert like bolt from bow. Up starts our plundered man; from his breast though the heart be ripped, Yet his mind has the mastery. Behold, in a minute more, He is out and off and away on Buheyseh, whose worth we know!