The Literature of Arabia Part 11

Too long my foolish heart had deem'd Mankind as virtuous as they seem'd; The spell is broke, their faults are bare, And now I see them as they are; Truth from each tainted breast has flown, And falsehood marks them all her own.

Incredulous I listen now To every tongue, and every vow, For still there yawns a gulf between Those honeyed words, and what they mean; With honest pride elate, I see The sons of falsehood shrink from me, As from the right line's even way The bia.s.s'd curves deflecting stray-- But what avails it to complain?

With souls like theirs reproof is vain; If honor e'er such bosoms share The sabre's point must fix it there.

But why exhaust life's rapid bowl, And suck the dregs with sorrow foul, When long ere this my youth has drain'd Whatever zest the cup contain'd?

Why should we mount upon the wave, And ocean's yawning horrors brave, When we may swallow from the flask Whatever the wants of mortals ask?

Contentment's realms no fears invade, No cares annoy, no sorrows shade, There plac'd secure, in peace we rest, Nor aught demand to make us blest.

While pleasure's gay fantastic bower, The splendid pageant of an hour, Like yonder meteor in the skies, Flits with a breath no more to rise.

As thro' life's various walks we're led, May prudence hover o'er our head!

May she our words, our actions guide, Our faults correct, our secrets hide!

May she, where'er our footsteps stray, Direct our paths, and clear the way!

Till, every scene of tumult past, She bring us to repose at last, Teach us to love that peaceful sh.o.r.e, And roam thro' folly's wilds no more!

_Mauid Eddin Alha.s.san Abou Ismael Altograi_.

[38] Abou Ismael was a native of Ispahan. He devoted himself to the service of the Seljuk Sultans of Persia, and enjoyed the confidence of Malec Shah, and his son and grandson, Mohammed and Ma.s.soud, by the last of whom he was raised to the dignity of vizir. Ma.s.soud, however, was not long in a condition to afford Abou Ismael any protection, for, being attacked by his brother Mahmoud, he was defeated, and driven from Mousel, and upon the fall of his master the vizir was seized and thrown into prison, and at length in the year 515 sentenced to be put to death.

TO YOUTH

Yes, youth, thou'rt fled, and I am left, Like yonder desolated bower, By winter's ruthless hand bereft Of every leaf and every flower.

With heaving heart and streaming eyes I woo'd thee to prolong thy stay, But vain were all my tears and sighs, Thou only fled'st more fast away.

Yet tho' thou fled'st away so fast, I can recall thee if I will; For I can talk of what is past, And while I talk, enjoy thee still.

_Ebn Alrabia_.

ON LOVE[39]

I never knew a sprightly fair That was not dear to me, And freely I my heart could share, With every one I see.

It is not this or that alone On whom my choice would fall, I do not more incline to one Than I incline to all.

The circle's bounding line are they, Its centre is my heart, My ready love the equal ray That flows to every part.

_Abou Aly_.

[39] Abou Aly flourished in Egypt about the year 530, and was equally celebrated as a mathematician and as a poet.

A REMONSTRANCE WITH A DRUNKARD[40]

As drench'd in wine, the other night, Zeid from the banquet sallied, Thus I reprov'd his drunken plight, Thus he my prudence rallied;

"In bev'rage so impure and vile, How canst thou thus delight?"-- "My cups," he answer'd with a smile, "Are generous and bright."

"Beware those dang'rous draughts," I cried, "With love the goblet flows"-- "And curst is he," the youth replied, "Who hatred only knows."

"Those cups too soon with sickness fraught Thy stomach shall deplore"-- "Then soon," he cried, "the noxious draught And all its ills are o'er."

"Rash youth, thy guilty joys resign."

"I will," at length he said, "I vow I'll bid adieu to wine As soon as I am dead."

_Yahia Ben Salamet_.

[40] This author was a native of Syria, and died at Miafarakir in the year of the Hegira 553.

VERSES[41]

Tho' such unbounded love you swear, 'Tis only art I see; Can I believe that one so fair Should ever dote on me?

Say that you hate, and freely show That age displeases youth; And I may love you when I know That you can tell the truth.

_Caliph Almonklafi Laimrillah_.

[41] Almonklafi was the thirty-first Caliph of the house of Abbas, and the only one who possessed any real authority since the reign of Radhi. These lines were addressed to a lady who pretended a pa.s.sion for him in his old age.

ON PROCRASTINATION[42]

Youth is a drunken noisy hour, With every folly fraught; But man, by age's chast'ning power, Is sober'd into thought.

Then we resolve our faults to shun, And shape our course anew; But ere the wise reform's begun Life closes on our view.

The travellers thus who wildly roam, Or heedlessly delay, Are left, when they should reach their home, Benighted on the way.

_Hebat Allah Ibn Altalmith_.

[42] Ibn Altalmith died in the 560th year of the Hegira, at the advanced age of one hundred.

THE EARLY DEATH OF ABOU ALHa.s.sAN ALY[43]

Soon hast thou run the race of life, Nor could our tears thy speed control-- Still in the courser's gen'rous strife The best will soonest reach the goal.

As Death upon his hand turns o'er The different gems the world displays, He seizes first to swell his store The brightest jewel he surveys.

Thy name, by every breath convey'd, Stretch'd o'er the globe its boundless flight; Alas! in eve the lengthening shade But lengthens to be lost in night!

If gracious Allah bade thee close Thy youthful eyes so soon on day, 'Tis that he readiest welcomes those Who love him best and best obey.

_Alna.s.sar Ledin Allah_.

[43] Alna.s.sar Ledin Allah was the thirty-fourth Aba.s.side Caliph, and the last excepting three who enjoyed this splendid t.i.tle, which was finally abolished by the Tartars in the year 656.