@3Al-Hâdî! Lord! the way is hard, and we, Thy creatures, have none other "Guide" than Thee@1. By many names and guides doth God Lead men along the upward road; He, unto each land under Heaven, A prophet of its own hath given: Hûd, Idris, Eyoob, Moses,—all Upon the selfsame Lord did call; Seeing there is no way besides His way, the Guider of the guides; Nor any light to mortals known Except Al-Hâdî—His alone. 'Tis told, night to a city-gate Four fellow-travelers hungry sate, An Arab, Persian, Turk, and Greek; And one was chosen forth, to seek Their evening meal, with dirhems thrown Into a common script; but none Could with his fellows there agree What meat therewith should purchased be. "Buy @3uzum,@1" quoth the Turk, "which food Is cheaper, sweeter, or so good?" "Not so," the Arab cried, "I say Buy @3aneb,@1 and the most ye may." "Name not thy trash!" the Persian said, "Who knoweth @3uzum@1 or @3aneb?@1 Bring @3anghur,@1 for the country's store Is ripe and rich." The Greek, who bore Their dirhems, clamored, "What ill thing Is @3anghur?@1 Surely I will bring @3Staphylion@1 green, @3staphylion@1 black, And a fair meal we shall not lack." Thus wrangled they, and set to try With blows what provend he should buy, When, lo! before their eyes did pass, Laden with grapes, a gardener's ass. Sprang to his feet each man, and showed With eager hand, that purple load. "See @3uzum!@1" said the Turk; and "See @3Anghur!@1" the Persian; "what should be Better?" "Nay, @3aneb! aneb@1 'tis!" The Arab cried. The Greek said, "This Is my @3staphylion!@1" Then they bought Their grapes in peace. Hence be ye taught! @3But unto us Thy changeless name Is Allah—praisèd be the same@1. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...TO CERTAIN JOURNEYMEN by CARL SANDBURG ARE THE CHILDREN AT HOME? by MARGARET ELIZABETH MUNSON SANGSTER THE OLD MAID by GEORGE BARLOW (1847-1913) THE IVORY GATE: DIRGE by THOMAS LOVELL BEDDOES THE UP-HILL STREET by ABBIE FARWELL BROWN INDWELLING by THOMAS EDWARD BROWN AN ELEGY ON MR. WILLIAM HOPTON by WILLIAM BROWNE (1591-1643) |