| Edmund Clarence Stedman, ed. (1833–1908). An American Anthology, 1787–1900. 1900. |
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| 517. Bookra |
| | | By Charles Dudley Warner |
| | | | | As I lay asleep in Italy.—SHELLEY. |
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| ONE night I lay asleep in Africa, | |
| In a closed garden by the city gate; | |
| A desert horseman, furious and late, | |
| Came wildly thundering at the massive bar, | |
| “Open in Allah’s name! Wake, Mustapha! | 5 |
| Slain is the Sultan,—treason, war, and hate | |
| Rage from Fez to Tetuan! Open straight.” | |
| The watchman heard as thunder from afar: | |
| “Go to! In peace this city lies asleep; | |
| To all-knowing Allah ’t is no news you bring;” | 10 |
| Then turned in slumber still his watch to keep. | |
| At once a nightingale began to sing, | |
| In oriental calm the garden lay,— | |
| Panic and war postponed another day. | |
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