Page:The L-poem of the Arabs.djvu/27

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34 (31–31).

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Open-jawed, wide-mouthed, as though their cheeks were splinters of staves; morose-looking, and determined.

35 (32–32).

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Then he howls, and they howl, in the wide waste; as though they and he were bereaved ones, lamenting upon some high place.

36 (33–33).

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And he becomes quiet, and they become quiet; and, he imitates, and they imitate him; provisionless wanderers, whom he consoles, and who console him, he wandering pro visionless.

37 (34–34).

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He complains, and they complain; then, he refrains at last, and they refrain. And verily, patience, if complaint avail not, is more seemly!

38 (35–35).

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And he goes back; and they go back in all haste; and all of them are busily intent on what the decent one keeps secret.

39 (36–36).

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And the cinereous sandgrouse birds drink my leavings, after they have travelled a whole night, their sides audibly panting (with thirst and fatigue);

40 (37–37).

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I strive, and they strive; and I quicken my pace, and they lag behind; and a leisurely harbinger, in me, has thus been allowed to tuck up his skirts;

41 (38–38).

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Then I turn back from them; and they tumble over at its margin, which their chins and breasts embrace;

42 (40–39).

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As though their tumult, on each side of, and round about . it, (were that of) congregations settling down from migrating tribes

43 (39–40).

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Coming to it from divers quarters; so that it collects them, as one watering-place collects the camel-troops of various tent-groups.

44 (41–41).

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So they sip a scanty turbid puddle. Then they pass on, as though they were a caravan hasting away from Uhätza with the dawn.