Mary Somerville.
THE SPIDER AND THE DOVE.
The spider and the dove,—what thing is weak
If Allah makes it strong?
The spider and the dove! if He protect,
Fear thou not foeman's wrong.
From Mecca to Medina fled our Lord,
The horsemen followed fast;
Into a cave to shun their murderous rage,
Mohammed, weary, passed.
Quoth Aba Bekr, "If they see me die!"
Quoth Eba Foheir, "Away!"
The guide Abdallah said, "The sand is deep,
Those footmarks will betray."
Then spake our Lord "We are not four but Five;
He who protects is here.
'Come! Al-Muhaimin' now will blind their eyes;
Enter, and have no fear."
The band drew nigh; one of the Koreish cried,
"Search ye out yonder cleft,
I see the print of sandalled feet which turn
Thither, upon the left!"
But when they drew unto the cavern's mouth,
Lo, at its entering in,
A ring-necked desert-dove sat on her eggs;
The mate cooed soft within.