in this story tells of the Three Persian merchants, departing from abroad.
Took refuge in a barn to count their hoard Of oriental gold, for since their dash From China they had not assessed their cache. The reason for their headlong flight was fleas Which spread - through bites - a fatal new disease. So, seemingly unscathed and in good health, The merchants stopped to calculate their wealth. But as they viewed their piles of gold they dwelt Upon the cruel blow this plague had dealt. "God's blessings are upon us," quod the first. "For we've escaped, whilst those behind are cursedWith swollen glands and livid, blackened skin, And open sores with stinking pus within."The second merchant sighed and bleakly said,
"May Allah's mercy be upon the dead.
No comments:
Post a Comment