War Drums (Scharkie)/Desires

by Louis Edward Scharkie

DESIRES.

Oh for a dip in the Sea of Stars,^[1]And the sound of a Ramah's rune!Oh for a peep in a Harem's bars,And a bed on the Mounts of the Moon!^[2]

Oh for a wind that would waft me awayTo the lovely gardens of bloom,Where the flower nymph knelt by the banks of KathayAnd a rainbow flashed over the flume!

Oh for a loll on delectable dellsWhere the Peris were tuning their lutes,When the Scourge of the Deevs rose up from the wells,And dashed through the garden of fruits!

Oh for a shallop to bear me afarTo the Pool of Music and Song,^[3]That the eye may see where the happy are,And the weary soul grow strong.

Ah! the far, far seas where our hearts must gropeEver muffle their lips for me,Till a golden dawn light a boundless hope,And daybreak shine over the sea

Oh for the heart of a rose-red dawnGirt with purple and gold afar;For a single hope that will burn unwornLike the light of a single star!

1. The source of the river Whango.
2. Mounts of Gumr.
3. The Miraculous well at Mecca.