Page:Stars of the Desert.djvu/114

And thou shouldst start. Even disguised as now
In the disfiguring raiment of a slave,
Thy beauty shines like evening stars, ablaze
Through dusky mists that but enhance their glow
Walk warily, Mir Khan, and hide thine eyes,
Lest women see, and passion shipwreck thee
Ere thou hast reached thy fort——"

Mir Khan

Ere thou hast reached thy fort——" "Whence I return
With a picked squadron to deliver thee."

Aziz

"Why dost thou hesitate?"

Mir Khan

"Why dost thou hesitate?" "Farewells are sad,
And—there is something in thine eyes, Aziz,
Dost thou?—thou canst not—doubt of my return?"

Aziz

"I doubt thee not, Mir Khan. Another star
Has risen above the purple mountain crest,
Thou shouldst be gone."

Mir Khan

Thou shouldst be gone." "Believe me——"

102