And gloomy eyes beneath his sweeping hair,
But at his feet cringed the swart Afghan thief.
"Thus saith the law: 'The thief shall have his hands
Struck from his wrists, in payment of the wage
Belonging to his sin.' The king commands
THE KING.
That thou, Ben Ali, wisdom's flower in youth,
Mirror of righteousness and well of truth,
Critic of kings, rebuker of old age,
Shalt judge this Afghan dog as the law stands."