Page:Essays and phantasies by James Thomson.djvu/222

 210 "I obeyed; and, if thou dcsirest the same strain and colour with Ismat, imitate him, and sell this world and the next for one drop of pure wine."

Similar passages, I believe, abound in Hafiz:—

"Stain with wine thy prayer-carpet if the old man of the tavern commands thee: for the traveller is not ignorant of the ways and customs of the inn."

And Sir William Jones cites a fine sentence from the Bustan; wherein, characteristically, thorough sameness of the spirit is couched in contradiction of the letter: "Through remembrance of God they shun all mankind; they are so enamoured of the cup-bearer, that they spill the wine from the cup."

In our own poetry sublime expression of some of their subtlest mysteries may be read by who can read in the Epipsychidion of Shelley.

But there are those informed by this spirit who cannot read its letter. For it is to be remarked that every talent and ability, and all scientific and other "useful" knowledge, are apt to be hindrances and veils to the purest manifestations of this mystery in humanity. "He has hidden these things from the wise and prudent, and revealed them unto babes."—"Suffer little children to come unto me, for of such is the kingdom of heaven."—"To the Jews a stumbling-block, and to the Greeks foolishness." A man of great talents and acquirements may have also this celestial genius; but such a one, be sure, employs his talents and acquirements simply as hewers of wood and drawers of water in the menial household service thereof Every one who elevates them to be his ambassadors and ministers in