The Love Sonnets of Proteus, Vita Nova, CXI: To the Bedouin Arabs

Children of Shem ! Firstborn of Noah's race,
But still forever children ; at the door
Of Eden found, unconscious of disgrace,
And loitering on while all are gone before ;
Too proud to dig ; too careless to be poor ;
Taking the gifts of God in thanklessness,
Not rendering aught, nor supplicating more,
Nor arguing with Him when He hides His face.
Yours is the rain and sunshine, and the way
Of an old wisdom by our world forgot,
The courage of a day which knew not death.
Well may we sons of Japhet in dismay
Pause in our vain mad fight for life and breath,
Beholding you. I bow and reason not.