* * * * *

On prince or bride no diamond stone Half so gracious ever shone, As the light of enterprise Beaming from a young man’s eyes.

FROM OMAR CHIAM.

Each spot where tulips prank their state Has drunk the life-blood of the great; The violets yon field which stain Are moles of beauties time hath slain.

* * * * *

He who has a thousand friends has not a friend to spare, And he who has one enemy will meet him everywhere.

* * * * *

On two days it steads not to run from thy grave, The appointed, and the unappointed day; On the first, neither balm nor physician can save, Nor thee, on the second, the Universe slay.

FROM IBN JEMIN.

Two things thou shalt not long for, if thou love a mind serene;— A woman to thy wife, though she were a crowned queen; And the second, borrowed money,—though the smiling lender say, That he will not demand the debt until the Judgment Day.

THE FLUTE. FROM HILALI.

Hark what, now loud, now low, the pining flute complains, Without tongue, yellow-cheeked, full of winds that wail and sigh; Saying, Sweetheart! the old mystery remains,— If I am I; thou, thou; or thou art I?

TO THE SHAH. FROM HAFIZ.

Thy foes to hunt, thy enviers to strike down, Poises Arcturus aloft morning and evening his spear.

TO THE SHAH. FROM ENWERI.

Not in their houses stand the stars, But o’er the pinnacles of thine!

TO THE SHAH. FROM ENWERI.

From thy worth and weight the stars gravitate, And the equipoise of heaven is thy house’s equipoise.

SONG OF SEID NIMETOLLAH OF KUHISTAN.

 Prev. P 43/44 next