University of Virginia Library

One who travell'd in the Desert
Saw Majnún where he was sitting
All alone like a Magician
Tracing Letters in the Sand.
‘Oh distracted Lover! writing
‘What the Sword-wind of the Desert
‘Undeciphers so that no one
‘After you shall understand.’

212

Majnún answer'd—‘I am writing
‘Only for myself, and only
‘“Laila,”—if for ever “Laila
‘Writing, in that Word a Volume,
‘Over which for ever poring,
‘From her very Name I sip
‘In Fancy, till I drink, her Lip.’