BEN YOUSSUF, bound to Mecca, day by day Toiled bravely o'er the desert's fiery way, Till its hot sands and flint-sown courses sore Pressed on the broidered sandals which he wore, Scorching and cutting! at the last they fell Loosely abroad; -- he seemed to fare through hell, So blistering now, the flame-hued rocks and dust: -- "O mighty Allah!" cried he, "art thou just, To let thy faithful pilgrim, serving thee, Pass onward, thus, in nameless agony?" With bitter thoughts and half-rebellious mind He left, at length, the desert sands behind, And still in that dark temper -- far from grace -- Went where his brethren midst the holy place Kneeled, by the @3Caaba's@1 sanctity enthralled; -- Lo! there he marked a smitten wretch who crawled Nearer the shrine, on bleeding hands and knees, Yet his deep eyes were stars of prayer and peace; -- And ah, how Youssuf's heart remorseful beat, To find @3he@1 lacked not only shoes, but -- feet! | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...ODE INSCRIBED TO W.H. CHANNING by RALPH WALDO EMERSON VENICE; SONNET by HENRY WADSWORTH LONGFELLOW A DEAD HARVEST (IN KENSINGTON GARDENS) by ALICE MEYNELL SING-SONG; A NURSERY RHYME BOOK: 92 by CHRISTINA GEORGINA ROSSETTI THE TRAMPS by ROBERT WILLIAM SERVICE |