"Yet keep that inner smile; and never show it Though the Account be nothing--shorn of her. Be wise, O Sheikh. Pray God to be a poet Lest life should make you a philosopher, Or lest the dreams of which you had the making Should prove to be such stuff as still I trail, And bring your heart, my withers, nigh to breaking When at the last the Bearer eyes the Bale, "As you shall penetrate this day or morrow The miracle of willing servitude, And yet believe therein. It is the sorrow And not the love that asks to be subdued; It is the mirage not the truth that trammels The travelling feet. Ah, if men only knew How their brief frenzies move the mirth of camels, Our rests were longer and our journeys few. "Old Tous is up. The camp is struck and ready For fresh emprise. Dawn sifts the clay-blue sky For gold. Now see how dominant and steady I prose along that have no mind to fly. This is my lesson: over sand or shingle, Blow hot, blow cold, by mountain, plain and khor, Coming and going, I must set a-jingle My own deep bell.... And you must ask for more!" He ceased. White on the mirror of the air His breath made patterns. In a ruined farm Red cocks blared out and shouted down the owls. The drivers rubbed their eyes. Another day Among the days was starting on its march.... Above the pilgrims fallen to their prayers Old Tous stood upright, blinking at the sun. VI THE BOASTING OF YOUTH The soldier-lad from Kerman, The sailor-lad from Jask Knew naught that should deter man From finishing the cask. "Wine sets the Faithful jibbing Like mules before an inn, But we sit bravely bibbing, And hold our own with sin." Said the stout-hearted wonder Of Jask: "Wine frights not me. I fear no foe but thunder And winds that sting the sea." "And I," said he of Kerman, "Fear nothing but the night, Or some imperious _firman_ That bids the Faithful fight." "They say some lads fear ladies And truckle to them." "Who Could be so weak? The _Cadis_ Rise up for me and you." "But doctors, nay and princes, Have troubles of their own, Save those whom fire convinces.... I leave the stuff alone." "And I...." Then both bethought them That, howso strong and wise, Their principles had caught them On this mad enterprise. "'Tis time to act with daring, And rest," said he of Jask, And swore a mighty swearing, (And drained another flask). "If I go on, attendant Upon this woman's way, May I become dependant On your arrears of pay!" "If I," said Captain Kerman, "Should knuckle to my mate, May I become a merman And live on maggot-bait!"