 | The poems of Richard Henry Stoddard |  |
[Said Ibn Abi Wakkoo, whose strong bow]
Said Ibn Abi Wakkoo, whose strong bowLaid from afar the Prophet's foemen low,
So sure his arrows in their deadly flight,
Was smitten in his age with loss of sight.
As he was led to Mecca, on the way
The men he passed entreated him to pray
To God for them. Whereat his nephew spake,
Feeling great pity for his blindness' sake:
“Uncle, to-day make one thing clear to me.
Thou prayest for others, and God heareth thee;
Why dost thou, then, remain in this thy night?
Why not implore Him to restore thy sight?”
399
And laid his hand upon the stripling's head,
“If I see not, God sees, and His decree
Is dearer than the eyes with which I used to see.”
| The poems of Richard Henry Stoddard | |