Hassan to His Mare

Come, my beauty! come, my desert darling!
On my shoulder lay thy glossy head!
Fear not, though the barley-sack be empty,
Here 's the half of Hassan's scanty bread.

Thou shall have thy share of dates, my beauty!
And thou know'st my water-skin is free:
Drink and welcome, for the wells are distant,
And my strength and safety lie in thee.

Bend thy forehead now, to take my kisses!
Lift in love thy dark and splendid eye:
Thou art glad wIimi Hassan mounts the saddle —
Thou art proud he owns thee: so am I.

Let the Sultan bring his boasted horses,
Prancing with their diamond-studded reins;
They, my darling, shall not match thy fleetness
When they course with thee the desert-plains!

Let the Sultan bring his famous horses,
Let him bring his golden swords to me —
Bring his slaves, his eunuchs, and his harem;
He would offer them in vain for thee.

We have seen Damascus, O my beauty!
And the splendor of the Pashas there;
What's their pomp and riches'! Why, I would not
Take them for a handful of thy hair!

Khaled sings the praises of his mistress,
And, because I've none he pities me:
What care I if he should have a thousand,
Fairer than the morning? I have thee.

He will find his passion growing cooler
Should her glance on other suitors fall:
Thou wilt ne'er, my mistress and my darling,
Fail to answer at thy master's call.

By-and-by some snow-white Nedjid stallion
Shall to thee his spring-time ardor bring;
And a foal, the fairest of the Desert,
To thy milky dugs shall crouch and cling.

Then, when Khaled shows to me his children,
I shall laugh, and bid him look at thine;
Thou wilt neigh, and lovingly caress me,
With thy glossy neck laid close to mine.