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| A STRANGER came one night to Yussouf’s tent, | |
| Saying, “Behold one outcast and in dread, | |
| Against whose life the bow of power is bent, | |
| Who flies, and hath not where to lay his head; | |
| I come to thee for shelter and for food, | 5 |
| To Yussouf, called through all our tribes ‘The Good.’” | |
| |
| “This tent is mine,” said Yussouf, “but no more | |
| Than it is God’s; come in, and be at peace; | |
| Freely shalt thou partake of all my store | |
| As I of his who buildeth over these | 10 |
| Our tents his glorious roof of night and day, | |
| And at whose door none ever yet heard Nay.” | |
| |
| So Yussouf entertained his guest that night, | |
| And, waking him ere day, said: “Here is gold, | |
| My swiftest horse is saddled for thy flight, | 15 |
| Depart before the prying day grow bold.” | |
| As one lamp lights another, nor grows less, | |
| So nobleness enkindleth nobleness. | |
| |
| That inward light the stranger’s face made grand, | |
| Which shines from all self-conquest; kneeling low, | 20 |
| He bowed his forehead upon Yussouf’s hand, | |
| Sobbing: “O Sheik, I cannot leave thee so; | |
| I will repay thee; all this thou hast done | |
| Unto that Ibrahim who slew thy son!” | |
| |
| “Take thrice the gold,” said Yussouf, “for with thee | 25 |
| Into the desert, never to return, | |
| My one black thought shall ride away from me; | |
| First-born, for whom by day and night I yearn, | |
| Balanced and just are all of God’s decrees; | |
| Thou art avenged, my first-born, sleep in peace!” | 30 |
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