Page:Thalaba the Destroyer 1809 Vol 1 - Southey.djvu/44

I. 26

“Great is the King! a God upon the Earth!”
“With dark and threatful smile to Houd he turn’d,..
“Say they aright, O Prophet? is the King
“Great upon earth, a God among mankind?”
“The Prophet answer’d not,
“Over that infinite multitude
“He roll’d his ominous eyes,
“And tears which could not be supprest gush’d forth.

“Sudden an uproar rose,
“A cry of joy below,
“The Messenger is come!
“Kail from Mecca comes,
“He brings the boon obtain’d!”

“Forth as we went we saw where overhead
“There hung a deep black cloud,
“On which the multitude
“With joyful eyes look’d up,
“And blest the coming rain.
“The Messenger addrest the King
“And told his tale of joy.