FROM A FELUCCA

A white tomb in the desert, An Arab at his prayers Beside the Nile's dark water, Where the lone camel fares. An ibis on the sunset, A slow shadouf at rest, And in the caravansary Low music for the guest. Above the tawny city A gleam of minarets, Resounding the muezzin's Clear call as the sun sets. A mystery, a silence, A breathing of strange balm, A peace from Allah on the wind And on the sky his calm.