The Garden of Bright Waters Part 15

_Song of Korea._

_KURDISTAN_

PARADISE

Paradise, my darling, know that paradise, The Prophet-given paradise after death, Is far and very mysterious and most high; My habits would be upset in such a place.

Without impiety, I should be mortally weary If I went there alone, without my wife; An ugly crowding of inferior females, What should I do with the houris?

What should I do with those tall loaded fruit-trees, Seeing I could not give the fruit to you?

What by the freshness of those blue streams, Seeing my face reflected there alone?

And it might be worse if you came with me, For all of Allah's Chosen would desire you.

And if Mahomet threw his handkerchief And took you up and loved you for himself?

Eyes of my eyes, how could I then defend you?

I could not be at ease and watch him love you; And if I mutinied against the Prophet, He, being zealous to love you in his peace,

Would rise and send me hurrying Back by the sword-blade thinness of the bridge From paradise to earth, and in the middle Flick me down sideways to the fires of h.e.l.l.

My skin would cook and be renewed for ever Where murderers were burning and renewing; And evil souls, my only crime being love, Would burn me and annoy me and destroy me.

If I were there and you in paradise, I could not even make my prayer to Allah That in his justice he should give me back My paradise.

Let us love, therefore, on the earth together; Our love is our garden, let us take great care, Whisper and call pet names and kiss each other To live our paradise as long as may be.

_Love Ballad of Kurdistan._

_LAOS_

MISADVENTURE

Ever at the far side of the current The fishes hurl and swim, For pelicans and great birds Watch and go fis.h.i.+ng On the bank-side.

No man dare go alone In the dim great forest, But if I were as strong As the green tiger I would go.

The holy swan on the sea Wishes to pa.s.s over with his wings, But I think it would be hard To go so far.

If you are still pure, Tell me, darling; If you are no longer Clear like an evening star, You are the heart of a great tree Eaten by insects.

Why do you lower your eyes?

Why do you not look at me?

When the blue elephant Finds a lotus by the water-side He takes it up and eats it.

Lemons are not sweeter than sugar.

If I had the moon at home I would open my house wide To the four winds of the horizon, So that the clouds that surround her Should escape and be shaken away.

_Song of the Love Nights of Laos._

KHAP-SALUNG

Seeing that I adore you, Scarf of golden flowers, Why do you stay unmarried?

As the liana at a tree's foot That quivers to wind it round, So do I wait for you. I pray you Do not detest me....

I have come to say farewell.

Farewell, scarf; Garden Royal Where none may enter, Gaudy money I may not spend.

_Song of the Love Nights of Laos._

THE HOLY SWAN

Fair journey, O holy swan with gold wings; O holy swan that I love, fair journey!

Carry this letter for me to the new land, The place where my lover labours.

If it rains fly low beneath the trees, If the sun is hot fly in the forest shadows; If any ask you where you are going Do not answer.

You who rise for so long a journey, Avoid the roofs at the hour when the sun is red.

Carry this letter to the new land of my lover.

If he is faithful, give it to him; If he has forgotten, read it to him only And let the lightning burn it afterwards.

_Song of the Love Nights of Laos._

_MANCHURIA_

FIRE AND LOVE

If you do not want your heart Burnt at a small flame Like a spitted sheep, Fly the love of women.

Fire burns what it touches, But love burns from afar.

_Folk Song of Manchuria._