VIII

Blackgreen the gardenbowers and grots

Slumbered: the solemn palms were ranged

Above, unwooed of summer wind.

A sudden splendour from behind

Flushed all the leaves with rich goldgreen,

And flowing rapidly between

Their interspaces, counterchanged

The level lake with diamondplots

Of saffron light. A lovely time,

For it was in the golden prime

Of good Haroun Alraschid!