And 'tis told How blind Arabah rose with unsealed eyes, With seeing eyes; he who to Allah gave All that he had; which happened in this wise:-- "Who's this that lies upon the mosque's cold pave?"-- "A blind man, whom an angel's hand shall lead."-- "A beggar, richer than the rich who have."-- "Behold the lesson, such as Sufis feed The soul upon!--O faith, blind-praying, see, Out of thyself how God repays indeed, Ten-thousandfold, one generosity!"... All Baghdad knew how, at the hour of prayer, A slave beneath each shoulder, it was he, Old, blind Arabah, whom a suppliant there, Footsore and hungry, met and asked for bread. "Alas! my son, God's poor are everywhere,"-- Hoar as a Koreish priest, Arabah said;-- "Richer than thou am I though poor indeed! Take thou my slaves and sell, and buy thee bread."-- Thrust him his slaves and said, "Great is thy need. Refuse, and I renounce them!"--And the wall Struck with his staff, saying, "This now shall lead." --While from the mosque rang the muezzin's call, "God is most mighty! Allah seeth all!" THE SEVEN DEVILS There is a legend, lost in some old dusty Tome of the East,--and who will question it?-- Concluding ancient wisdom, rather musty, Wherein much war and wickedness and wit, Insult and wrath and love and shame are writ: Wherein is written that, when Mahomet Fled out of Mecca from the people's wrath, He met a shadow standing in his path, A naked horror, blacker than hewn jet. It in one hand held out a flaming jewel, Wherein fierce colors burnt and blent like eyes Of seven fires, merciless as cruel: The horror said, "God cursed them for their lies. These are the seven devils of the wise, And I am Satan!" And the prophet saw How he might punish Mecca for its pride; And, gazing on the Fiend, "Allah," he cried, "Let them be free!" His word, like God's, was law. Since then these seven devils have descended From nation unto nation, past the ken Of Mahomet, who left earth undefended Of any amulet of tongue or pen 'Gainst demons boring at the brains of men: Demons, whose names I dare not breathe or write, For fear of fear, despair and madness, born Of horror, and of frenzy all forlorn, And shadowy evils of the day and night. THAMUS And it is said that Thamus sailed Off islands of Ægean seas No seaman yet had ever hailed; No vessel touched, no ship of Greece, Phœnician or the Chersonese. And, lying all becalmed, 'tis told How wonderful with peace that night Rolled out of dusk and dreamy gold One star, whose splendor seemed to light The world with majesty and might.