This dried-up desert sea," said he,

"These tawny sands of Arazit" ...

Avaunt! the tale is not of it.

A chief from out the desert's rim

Rode swift as twilight swallows swim,

Or eagle blown from eyrie nest.

His trim-limb'd steed was black as night,

His long black hair had blossom'd white,

With feathers from the koko's crest;

His iron face was flush'd and red,