Many-towered and majestic, Ubar of the restless sands,
Long have we sought you beneath the desert sun
And pined for you like lovers, half in dream.
What will man not sacrifice for a golden paradise,
For the scent of frankincense and cool wine to drink?
I dreamt that I lay in the fragrant groves of Dhofar,
A silken prince with dancing-girls to embrace…
Vision seen afar, vast mirage of weary bedu merchants,
Their laden caravans trudging across the boneyard,
City that Allah raised up then destroyed for its arrogance,
White cloud of frankincense in the night,
Will you rise again when the sandstorm has passed?
At night the skies are wild and pure, brighter than death
With infinite worlds and dreams; the Dog Star
Hoards the secrets of all men who went before
And myriads of sand-grains whisper, trickling
Down the dune-battlements, as aeons elapse.
There are wadis where jasmine and tamarinds blossom,
Mazy caverns fetid with leopards’ breath,
Gravel wastes where every crack conceals evil
And the gorgon-eyed fierce-beaked camel spider
Sucks the flesh from your bones while you sleep.
Buzzards, shadows of madness, patiently hover
Over the Empty Quarter where all things disappear...
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