Classic Poem

AS ULTAN , hearing that a steed
Unmatched in beauty, strength, and breed,
In furthest Asia did subsist,
Fearful the purchase might be missed,
Resolved his Vizier to require
To wend with Hassan, faithful squire,
And close the bargain there and then.
At first, so scribes of credit pen,
Scatheless the high commission sped
In quest of the rare quadruped;
Like Caesar vanquishing the East,
They came, they saw, they bought the beast.

But, this achieved, with much disgust
They found it still to be discussed
How best to them it might befall
To bring him home, or if at all,
The natives of those parts excelling
No less in stealing steeds than selling.
Yet all went well with them the while,
Till, at an inn of humble style.
The prudent minister perceives
Sheer symptoms of a den of thieves.
" Our desperate case," decided he,
" Demands as desperate remedy"
Chamber and bed we will forego
(Not missing much by doing so
In this vile hovel), and, of course,
Sleep on the straw, beside the horse.
That is to say that I shall sleep,
While, Hassan, thou strict watch wilt keep.
Yet, as mortality is frail,
And sleep's seductions might prevail,
I charge thee, lest thou idly dream,
To muse on some momentous theme,
Such as Philosophy revolves
From age to age, nor e'er resolves: —
Can it in any manner be
Affirmed that two and two make three?
Do geese their origin deduce
From eggs? or comes the egg from goose?
Rapt in these studies, 'twill be odd
If thou hast any mind to nod."

He ceased, but soon awaking cried,
" Hassan, how art thou occupied?"

" Sir," said the man, " I strive to find
What is the colour of the wind."

" A meet gymnastic for thy brain."
The Vizier thus, then slept again,
But presently was heard to call,
" Ho, Hassan, ponderest thou at all?
I trust to Allah 'tis the fact."

" Sir," answered he " my brain is racked,
Devising, if a hole immense
Were dug, and earth, extracted thence,
Employed to fill the monstrous main,
How best to fill the hole again."

" Good," said the Vizier, " there is stuff
For cogitation quantum suff. ,
And turned him, and contented slept,
And quiet for a season kept,
Till, stung by some uneasy dream,
Starting, he cried, " Hast thou a theme,
Hassan, and musest thou thereon?"

" Sir," said the man, " the horse is gone!
And now in sooth my brains I addle,
Touching the bridle and the saddle,
And patiently the problem probe,
Whether your worship, meek as Job,
Will bear them home, or I, poor elf,
Shall have to carry them myself."