Afore the noonday meal The young men, even our masters, bathed; (there grows A clump of cedars by the bend of yon Clear river)--there did Japhet, after meat, Being right weary, lay him down and sleep.
There, with a company of slaves and some Few camels, ye shall find him." And the man The father of these three, did let him pass, And struggle and give battle to his heart, Standing as motionless as pillar set To guide a wanderer in a pathless waste; But all his strength went from him, and he strove Vainly to trample out and trample down The misery of his love unsatisfied,-- Unutterable love flung in his face.
Then he broke out in passionate words, that cried Against his lot, "I have lost my own, and won None other; no, not one! Alas, my sons! That I have looked to for my solacing, In the bitterness to come.

My children dear!" And when from his own lips he heard those words, With passionate stirring of the heart, he wept.
And none came nigh to comfort him.

His face Was on the ground; but, having wept, he rose Full hastily, and urged his way to find The river; and in hollow of his hand Raised up the water to his brow: "This son, This other son of mine," he said, "shall see No tears upon my face." And he looked on, Beheld the camels, and a group of slaves Sitting apart from some one fast asleep, Where they had spread out webs of broidery work Under a cedar-tree; and he came on, And when they made obeisance he declared His name, and said, "I will beside my son Sit till he wakeneth." So Japhet lay A-dreaming, and his father drew to him.
He said, "This cannot scorn me yet"; and paused, Right angry with himself, because the youth, Albeit of stately growth, so languidly Lay with a listless smile upon his mouth, That was full sweet and pure; and as he looked, He half forgot his trouble in his pride.
"And is this mine ?" said he, "my son! mine own! (God, thou art good!) O, if this turn away, That pang shall be past bearing.

I must think That all the sweetness of his goodly face Is copied from his soul.

How beautiful Are children to their fathers! Son, my heart Is greatly glad because of thee; my life Shall lack of no completeness in the days To come.