Meantime distinct they heard the passing tramp

Of horse and foot, continuous as the sound

Of Deva’s stream, and barbarous tongues commixt

With laughter, and with frequent shouts, ... for all

Exultant came, expecting sure success;

Blind wretches, over whom the ruin hung!

They say, quoth one, that though the Prophet’s soul

Doth with the black-eyed Houris bathe in bliss,

Life hath not left his body, which bears up

By its miraculous power the holy tomb,