Thou hast told me the tale of the Kings, and of them ✿ Each was rending lion, a furious foe: And thou stolest the wits of me, all of them ✿ And shotst me with shaft of thy magic bow: Thou hast boasted of slaves and of steeds and wealth; ✿ And of beauteous lasses ne’er man did know; How presents in mighty store didst spurn, ✿ And disdainedst lovers both high and low: Then I followed their tracks in desire for thee, ✿ With naught save my scymitar keen of blow; Nor slaves nor camels that run have I; ✿ Nor slave-girls the litters enveil, ah, no! But grant me union and soon shalt sight ✿ My trenchant blade with the foeman’s woe; Shalt see the horsemen engird Baghdad ✿ Like clouds that wall the whole world below, Obeying behests which to them I deal ✿ And hearing the words to the foes I throw! An of negro chattels ten thousand head ✿ Wouldst have, or Kings who be proud and prow, Or chargers led for thee day by day ✿ And virgin girls high of bosom, lo! Al-Yaman land my command doth bear ✿ And my biting blade to my foes I show. I have left this all for the sake o’ thee, ✿ Left Aziz and my kinsmen for evermo’e; And made Al-Irák making way to thee ✿ Under nightly murks over rocks arow; When the couriers brought me account of thee ✿ Thy beauty, perfection, and sunny glow, Then I sent thee verses whose very sound ✿ Burns the heart of shame with a fiery throe; Yet the world with falsehood hath falsèd me, ✿ Though Fortune was never so false as thou, Who dubbest me stranger and homeless one ✿ A witless fool and a slave-girl’s son!