The Bedouin’s Many Wives

I kissed my sweetheart by the caravan
The camels all did wink their roving eyes
Out on the dunes of the hot desert sands
We both confessed our hopes for Paradise.

Another came presenting spice and dates
And yet another, with gold from the trade
I found that these three made for goodly mates
As we sat down beneath the palmtree shade.

Just then, another came singing a song
And yet another, dancing to her tune
From these five I could not escape the throng
Of being considered Fortune’s buffoon.

As even now, their marriage suits me well
I have these great companions’ tale-to-tell.