@3Yakbuzu wa Yabsutu! heaven and hell He closeth and uncloseth—and doth well!@1 In gold and silk and robes of pride An evil-hearted monarch died; Pampered and arrogant his soul Quitted the grave. His eyes did roll Hither and thither, deeming some In that new world should surely come To lead his spirit to a seat Of state, for kingly merit meet. What saw he? 'Twas a hag so foul There is no Afrit, Djin, or Ghoul With countenance as vile or mien, As fearful, and such terrors seen In the fierce voice and hideous air, Blood-dripping hands and matted hair. "Allah have mercy!" cried the king, "Whence and what art thou, hateful thing?" "Dost thou not know—who gav'st me birth?" Replied the form; "thy sins on earth In me embodied thus behold. I am thy wicked work! Unfold Thine arms and clasp me, for we two In hell must live thy sentence through." Then with a bitter cry, 'tis writ, The king's soul passed unto the pit. @3Al-Kabiz! so He bars the gate Against the unregenerate@1. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...DESCRIPTIONS by VIRGINIA A. ALLIN EPITAPH ON A CHILD by JEAN ANTOINE DE BAIF ENIGMA. TO THE LADIES by ANNA LETITIA BARBAULD CLIO, NINE ECLOGUES IN HONOUR OF NINE VIRTUES: 2. OF GRATITUDE by WILLIAM BASSE TO ROBERT SOUTHEY by MARIA GOWEN BROOKS |