And when thou’rt warned that “crouching” ’s with abjection fraught.)
In hopeless expectation God’s blow to ensue,
The countryside entire within their homes withdrew.
The prophet Sālih left his cell to view the town.
Enveloped in a smoke and blaze he saw it drown!300
Low, moaning noise he heard proceed from its remain;—
Sighs, as it were, and sobs;—he sighers sought in vain!
Those sighs were fitful cracklings of their burning bones;
Those sobs, the hissings of their blood, in clots, on stones!
On hearing these sad sounds the prophet burst in tears;