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James Russell Lowell - Yussouf
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A stranger came one night to Yussouf`s tent,
Saying, `Behold one outcast and in dread,
Against whose life the bow of power is bent,
Who flies, and hath not where to lay his head;
I come to thee for shelter and for food,
To Yussouf, called through all our tribes "The Good."

`This tent is mine,` said Yussouf, `but no more
Than it is God`s come in and be at peace;
Freely shall thou partake of all my store
As I of His who buildeth over these
Our tents his glorious roof of night and day,
And at whose door none ever yet heard Nay.`

So Yussouf entertained his guest that night,
And, waking him ere day, said: `Here is gold;
My swiftest horse is saddled for thy flight;
Depart before the prying day grow bold.`
As one lamp lights another, nor grows less,
So nobleness enkindleth nobleness.

That inward light the stranger`s face made grand,
Which shines from all self-conquest; kneeling low,
He bowed his forehead upon Yussouf`s hand,
Sobbing: `O Sheik, I cannot leave thee so;
I will repay thee; all this thou hast done
Unto that Ibrahim who slew thy son!`

`Take thrice the gold,` said Yussouf `for with thee
Into the desert, never to return,
My one black thought shall ride away from me;
First-born, for whom by day and night I yearn,
Balanced and just are all of God`s decrees;
Thou art avenged, my first-born, sleep in peace!`
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