Shorter Pieces of Arabian Poetry: To A Little Man With A Very Large Beard, by Isaac Ben Khalif

TO A LITTLE MAN WITH A VERY LARGE BEARD. BY ISAAC BEN KHALIF. HOW can thy chin that burden bear? Is it all gravity to shock? Is it to make the people stare, And be thyself a laughing-stock? When I behold thy little feet After thy beard obsequious run, I always fancy that I meet Some father followed by his son. A man like thee scarce e’er appeared; A beard like thine, where shall we find it? Surely thou cherishest thy beard, In hopes to hide thyself behind it!