"THE PRAYER IN THE DESERT."
31
Soon will his comrades round him throng,
While tents are pitched with jest and song;
But not the night-dews, chill and fleet,
Nor noon-tide's burning, blasting heat,
Nor red simoom, nor mocking well
Can break his vision's sacred spell,
Or lure his joy that forward flies
To build and sing in fairer skies.
While tents are pitched with jest and song;
But not the night-dews, chill and fleet,
Nor noon-tide's burning, blasting heat,
Nor red simoom, nor mocking well
Can break his vision's sacred spell,
Or lure his joy that forward flies
To build and sing in fairer skies.
O Arab! we are one with thee!
All day we rove some desert sea;
The winds are dead, the wells are dry,
Above us flames the torrid sky;
And only in some twilight calm,
When fires are spent and air is balm,
Beyond our griefs and fears we ride;
Our sandal-cares we cast aside;
The clouds of doubt are backward blown,
And lo! we meet the Lord alone!
All day we rove some desert sea;
The winds are dead, the wells are dry,
Above us flames the torrid sky;
And only in some twilight calm,
When fires are spent and air is balm,
Beyond our griefs and fears we ride;
Our sandal-cares we cast aside;
The clouds of doubt are backward blown,
And lo! we meet the Lord alone!
1863.
