I was an Arab, br I loved my horse; br Swift as an arrow br He swept the course. br br Sweet as a lamb br He came to hand; br He was the flower br Of all the land. br br Through lonely nights br I rode afar; br God lit His lights-- br Star upon star. br br God's in the desert; br His breath the air: br Beautiful desert, br Boundless and bare! br br Free as the wild wind, br Light as a foal; br Ah, there is room there br To stretch one's soul. br br Far reached my thought, br Scant were my needs: br A few bananas br And lotus seeds. br br Sparkling as water br Cool in the shade, br Ibrahim's daughter, br Beautiful maid. br br Out of thy Kulleh, br Fairest and first, br Give me to drink br Quencher of thirst. br br I am athirst, girl; br Parched with desire, br Love in my bosom br Burns as a fire. br br Green thy oasis, br Waving with Palms; br Oh, be no niggard, br Maid, with thy alms. br br Kiss me with kisses, br Buds of thy mouth, br Sweeter than Cassia br Fresh from the South. br br Bind me with tresses, br Clasp with a curl; br And in caresses br Stifle me, girl. br br I was an Arab br Ages ago! br Hence this home-sickness br And all my woe.