"High mountains closed the vale,
Bare, rocky mountains, to all living things
Inhospitable; on whose sides no herb
Rooted, no insect fed, no bird awoke
Their echoes, save the eagle, strong of wing;
A lonely plunderer, that afar
Sought in the vales his prey.
"Thither towards those mountains Thalaba
Advanced, for well he ween'd that there had Fate
Destined the adventure's end.