The shapes round Ali-el-Kerbelaï shivered,
Pulling their coloured abbas to their ears
And drawing in their feet. At last one spoke:
"O master, you to whom the world is known,
What is your thought's conclusion, what the sum
Of added knowledge in the tome of You?"
And Ali answered weighing out his words:
"Sir, I have seen the East and West, great peace,
Great wars, indifferent fates that blessed or cursed
Their builders. I have touched the best and worst