What would Great Allah with the frozen sea? Would he of icy clouds a throne carve bright, Or would the demons of the deepest night A bar build where the shining stars sweep free? It gleams like pagan cities fired, kings flee. When Day was anciently destroyed by Night Did Allah amid chaos fix this light To guide the star-worlds of eternity? 

Would he of icy clouds a throne carve bright,

A bar build where the shining stars sweep free?

When Day was anciently destroyed by Night

To guide the star-worlds of eternity?

(Mirza)

 Up there I've journeyed where the winter reigns, And seen the rivers bitten black like lines On Tschatir Dagh, where the white cloud reclines, Which not the wildest eagle's shadow stains, Where cradled under me the thunders sleep And Allah and the stars their watches keep. 

And seen the rivers bitten black like lines

Which not the wildest eagle's shadow stains,

And Allah and the stars their watches keep.

[9]

[9]

BAKTSCHI SERAI

 In ruin are the spacious, splendid halls With frozen forest of white columns where The Tartar Khan his palace builded fair, Where loneliest the shrilling cricket calls. The ivy blackens over shining walls Enscribing in gigantic letters there Some curse Belshazzar-like: Beware! Beware!— Then black as crèpe from crested columns falls. 

With frozen forest of white columns where

Where loneliest the shrilling cricket calls.

Enscribing in gigantic letters there

Beware! Beware!

Then black as crèpe from crested columns falls.

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