The Bewildered Arab

From the solitary desert
Up to Baghdad came a simple
Arab; there amid the rout
Grew bewildered of the countless
People, hither, thither, running,
coming, going, meeting, parting,
Clamor, clatter, and confusion,
All about him and about.

Travel-wearied, hubbub-dizzy,
would the simple Arab fain
Get to sleep - "But then, on waking,
How," quoth he, "amid so many
Waking, know myself again?"

So, to make the matter certain,
Strung a gourd about his ankle,
And, into a corner creeping,
Baghdad and himself and people
Soon were blotted from his brain.

But one that heard him and divined
His purpose, slyly crept behind;
From the sleeper's ankle clipping,
Round his own the pumpkin tied,
And laid him down to sleep beside.

By and by, the Arab waking,
Looks directly for his signal -
Sees it on another's ankle -
Cries aloud, "Oh, good-for-nothing
Rascal to perplex me so!
That by you I am bewildered,
Whether i be I or no!
If I - the pumpkin why on you?
If you - then where am I, and who?"

(Jami, dervish and mystic philosopher, 1414 – 1492)