Noormahal the Fair by Victor Hugo

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NOORMAHAL THE FAIR by Victor Hugo
     ("Entre deux rocs d'un noir d'ébène.")

     {XXVII., November, 1828.}
     Between two ebon rocks
       Behold yon sombre den,
     Where brambles bristle like the locks
       Of wool between the horns of scapegoat banned by men!

     Remote in ruddy fog
       Still hear the tiger growl
     At the lion and stripèd dog
       That prowl with rusty throats to taunt and roar and howl;

     Whilst other monsters fast
       The hissing basilisk;
     The hippopotamus so vast,
       And the boa with waking appetite made brisk!

     The orfrey showing tongue,
       The fly in stinging mood,
     The elephant that crushes strong
       And elastic bamboos an the scorpion's brood;

     And the men of the trees
       With their families fierce,
     Till there is not one scorching breeze
       But brings here its venomâ€"its horror to pierceâ€"

     Yet, rather there be lone,
       'Mid all those horrors there,
     Than hear the sickly honeyed tone
       And see the swimming eyes of Noormahal the Fair!

     {Footnote 1: Noormahal (Arabic) the light of the house; some of the
     Orientals deem fair hair and complexion a beauty.}

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