Abd-el-Kadr was an Arab Chief of Algiers who resisted the French in 1833.] <br /> <br /> I. <br /> <br />As I ride, as I ride, <br />With a full heart for my guide, <br />So its tide rocks my side, <br />As I ride, as I ride, <br />That, as I were double-eyed, <br />He, in whom our Tribes confide, <br />Is descried, ways untried <br />As I ride, as I ride. <br /> <br /> II. <br /> <br />As I ride, as I ride <br />To our Chief and his Allied, <br />Who dares chide my heart's pride <br />As I ride, as I ride? <br />Or are witnesses denied--- <br />Through the desert waste and wide <br />Do I glide unespied <br />As I ride, as I ride? <br /> <br /> III. <br /> <br />As I ride, as I ride, <br />When an inner voice has cried, <br />The sands slide, nor abide <br />(As I ride, as I ride) <br />O'er each visioned homicide <br />That came vaunting (has he lied?) <br />To reside---where he died, <br />As I ride, as I ride. <br /> <br /> IV. <br /> <br />As I ride, as I ride, <br />Ne'er has spur my swift horse plied, <br />Yet his hide, streaked and pied, <br />As I ride, as I ride, <br />Shows where sweat has sprung and dried, <br />---Zebra-footed, ostrich-thighed--- <br />How has vied stride with stride <br />As I ride, as I ride! <br /> <br /> V. <br /> <br />As I ride, as I ride, <br />Could I loose what Fate has tied, <br />Ere I pried, she should hide <br />(As I ride, as I ride) <br />All that's meant me---satisfied <br />When the Prophet and the Bride <br />Stop veins I'd have subside <br />As I ride, as I ride!<br /><br />Robert Browning<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/through-the-metidja-to-abd-el-kadr/
