AMONG DAUGHTERS OF THE DESERT 449
Like, all-too-like,
Unto the southern fruits mentioned,
Here I lie.
Round about dance and play
Little winged beetles,
And in the same way still smaller,
Still more foolish and wicked
Wishes and fancies.
Round about lie ye,
Ye mute, ye prophetic
Girl-cats,
Dudu and Suleika.
Ye sphinx round me (to stuff
Into one word many feelings.
May God forgive me
This sin against grammar!).
Here sit I smelling the best air,
Verily, the air of paradise,
Bright, light air with golden stripes,
As good air as ever fell down
From the moon,
Be it by chance,
Or befell it by wantonness ?
As the old poets tell the tale.
But I, a doubter, doubt it.
The reason is : I come
From Europe
Which is more sceptical than any little wife.
2G
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