Nor slaves nor camels that run have I; ✿ Nor slave-girls the litters enveil, ah, no!
But grant me union and soon shalt sight ✿ My trenchant blade with the foeman’s woe;
Shalt see the horsemen engird Baghdad ✿ Like clouds that wall the whole world below,
Obeying behests which to them I deal ✿ And hearing the words to the foes I throw!
An of negro chattels ten thousand head ✿ Wouldst have, or Kings who be proud and prow,
Or chargers led for thee day by day ✿ And virgin girls high of bosom, lo!
Al-Yaman land my command doth bear ✿ And my biting blade to my foes I show.
I have left this all for the sake o’ thee, ✿ Left Aziz and my kinsmen for evermo’e;
And made Al-Irák making way to thee ✿ Under nightly murks over rocks arow;
When the couriers brought me account of thee ✿ Thy beauty, perfection, and sunny glow,