Ali Bey

Ali Bey

 the faith’s defender

Happy lay in

maidens’ arms;

Of paradise         a semi- preview

Allah

grants him

here on Earth

Odalisques pretty

as Huris

And

 as supple as

 gazelles-

One

is combing 

out

 his

 mustache

And another

 presses at his temples.

And a third

 plucks on a lute

sings,

dances,

kisses him 

on the heart

 where

the fires

of all

piety kindle.

But outside

all of a sudden

Sound the

 trumpets-swords-and-clatter

Weapon’s crash 

and flint

lock-shots

“Lord, the Franks are on the attack!”

The defender mounts                                  

his warhorse

Flies    

                    like a dream

 towards the battle;

He’s still in mind

 of when he lay there 

among the maidens’ arms.

All the while that

he is chopping

here

 and there

 at

Frankish heads

he is lauging

       like a lover

Yes,

softly 

       he chuckles .