THE KHAN'S DEVIL.
THE Khan came from Bokhara town
To Hamza, santon of renown.
"My head is sick, my hands are weak;
Thy help, O holy man, I seek."
In silence marking for a space
The Khan's red eyes and purple face,
Thick voice, and loose, uncertain tread,
"Thou hast a devil!" Hamza said.
"Allah forbid!" exclaimed the Khan.
Rid me of him at once, O man!"
"Nay," Hamza said, "no spell of mine
Can slay that cursed thing of thine.
"Leave feast and wine, go forth and drink
Water of healing on the brink
"Where clear and cold from mountain snows,
The Nahr el Zeben downward flows.
"Six moons remain, then come to me;
May Allah's pity go with thee!"
Awestruck, from feast and wine the Khan
Went forth where Nahr el Zeben ran.
Roots were his food, the desert dust
His bed, the water quenched his thirst;
And when the sixth moon's scimetar
Curved sharp above the evening star,
He sought again the santon's door,
Not weak and trembling as before,
But strong of limb and clear of brain;
"Behold," he said, "the fiend is slain.
Pages:
311
312
313
314
315
316
317
318
319
320
321
322
323
324
325
326
327
328
329
330
331
332
333
334
335