RABBI BENAIAH
Rabbi Benaiah at the close of day,
When the low sun athwart the level sands
Shot his long arrows, from far Eastern lands
Homeward across the desert bent his way.
When the low sun athwart the level sands
Shot his long arrows, from far Eastern lands
Homeward across the desert bent his way.
Behind him trailed the lengthening caravan—
The slow, weird camels, with monotonous pace;
Before him, lifted in the clear, far space,
From east to west the towers of his city ran!
The slow, weird camels, with monotonous pace;
Before him, lifted in the clear, far space,
From east to west the towers of his city ran!
Impatiently he scanned the darkening sky;
Then girding in hot haste, "What ho!" cried he,
"Bring the swift steed Abdallah unto me!
As rode his Bedouin master, so will I!"
Then girding in hot haste, "What ho!" cried he,
"Bring the swift steed Abdallah unto me!
As rode his Bedouin master, so will I!"
Soon like a bird across the waste he flew,
Nor drew his rein till at the massive gate
That guards the citadel's supremest state
He paused a moment, slowly entering through.
Nor drew his rein till at the massive gate
That guards the citadel's supremest state
He paused a moment, slowly entering through.
Then down the shadowy, moonlit streets he sped;
The city slept; but like a burning star,
Where his own turret-chamber rose afar,
A clear, strong light its steady radiance shed!
The city slept; but like a burning star,
Where his own turret-chamber rose afar,
A clear, strong light its steady radiance shed!
Into his court he rode with sudden clang.
The startled slaves bowed low, but spake no word;
By no quick tumult was the midnight stirred,
No shouts of welcome on the night air rang!
The startled slaves bowed low, but spake no word;
By no quick tumult was the midnight stirred,
No shouts of welcome on the night air rang!
