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 FROM THE MASJID-AL-AQSA OF SAYYID AHMED (WAHABI)


 * Not with an outcry to Allah nor any complaining
 * He answered his name at the muster and stood to the chaining.
 * When the twin anklets were nipped on the leg-bars that held them,
 * He brotherly greeted the armourers stooping to weld them
 * Ere the sad dust of the marshalled feet of the chain-gang swallowed him,
 * Observing him nobly at ease, I alighted and followed him.
 * Thus we had speech by the way, but not touching his sorrow—
 * Rather his red Yesterday and his regal To-morrow,
 * Wherein he statelily moved to the clink of his chains unregarded,
 * Nowise abashed but contented to drink of the potion awarded.
 * Saluting aloofly his Fate, he made swift with his story;
 * And the words of his mouth were as slaves spreading carpets of glory
 * Embroidered with names of the Djinns—a miraculous weaving—
 * But the cool and perspicuous eye overbore unbelieving.
 * So I submitted myself to the limits of rapture—
 * Bound by this man we had bound, amid captives his capture—
 * Till he returned me to earth and the visions departed;
 * But on him be the Peace and the Blessing: for he was great-hearted!