Poems (Henley)/Orientale

by William Ernest Henley

ORIENTALE

She's an enchanting little Israelite,A world of hidden dimples—Dusky-eyed,A starry-glancing daughter of the Bride,With hair escaped from some Arabian Night,Her lip is red, her cheek is golden-white,Her nose a scimitar; and, set asideThe bamboo hat she cocks with so much pride,Her dress a dream of daintiness and delight.And when she passes with the dreadful boysAnd romping girls, the cockneys loud and crude,My thought, to the Minories tied yet moved to rangeThe Land o' the Sun, commingles with the noiseOf magian drums and scents of sandalwoodA touch Sidonian—modern—taking—strange!