Arabah

"The third of these heroes, the blind Arabah."--Gibbon.

And one brought pearls and one brought passion-flowers To blind Arabah as he lay in dreams, And one brought visions of the after hours. And he beheld the rainbow-rolling streams Of Eden on harmonious sands of gold, And battlements, builded of prismatic beams. He was not sightless now, nor weak, nor old; For lo! the dark-eyed girls of Paradise Rained on him gifts and kisses.

And 'tis told How blind Arabah rose with unsealed eyes, With seeing eyes; he who to Allah gave All that he had; which happened in this wise:-- "Who's this that lies upon the mosque's cold pave?"-- "A blind man, whom an angel's hand shall lead."-- "A beggar, richer than the rich who have."-- "Behold the lesson, such as Sufis feed The soul upon!--O faith, blind-praying, see, Out of thyself how God repays indeed, Ten-thousandfold, one generosity!"...

All Baghdad knew how, at the hour of prayer, A slave beneath each shoulder, it was he, Old, blind Arabah, whom a suppliant there, Footsore and hungry, met and asked for bread. "Alas! my son, God's poor are everywhere,"-- Hoar as a Koreish priest, Arabah said;-- "Richer than thou am I though poor indeed! Take thou my slaves and sell, and buy thee bread."-- Thrust him his slaves and said, "Great is thy need. Refuse, and I renounce them!"--And the wall Struck with his staff, saying, "This now shall lead." --While from the mosque rang the muezzin's call, "God is most mighty! Allah seeth all!"