I. 10
Young he appear’d, for on his cheek there shone
The morning glow of health,
And the brown beard curl’d close around his chin.
He slept, but at the sound
Of coming feet awaking, fix’d his eyes
In wonder, on the wanderer and her child.
“Forgive us,” Zeinab cried,
“Distress hath made us bold.
“Relieve the widow and the fatherless!
“Blessed are they who succour the distrest;
“For them hath God appointed Paradise.”
The morning glow of health,
And the brown beard curl’d close around his chin.
He slept, but at the sound
Of coming feet awaking, fix’d his eyes
In wonder, on the wanderer and her child.
“Forgive us,” Zeinab cried,
“Distress hath made us bold.
“Relieve the widow and the fatherless!
“Blessed are they who succour the distrest;
“For them hath God appointed Paradise.”
He heard, and he look’d up to heaven,
And tears ran down his cheeks:
“It is a human voice!
“I thank thee, O my God! …
“How many an age hath past
“Since the sweet sounds have visited my ear!
“I thank thee, O my God,
“It is a human voice!”
And tears ran down his cheeks:
“It is a human voice!
“I thank thee, O my God! …
“How many an age hath past
“Since the sweet sounds have visited my ear!
“I thank thee, O my God,
“It is a human voice!”
To Zeinab turning then he cried,
“O mortal, who art thou
“O mortal, who art thou
10
