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 I am not lawless, though I break Thy law,

Drunken am I with very love and awe;

'Twas ever thus with veritable seers—

Too drunk with joy to tell us what they saw.

In my left hand I hold the Koran tight,

And grasp the wine-cup firmly in my right—

Thus do I stand beneath the eye of heaven,

Not quite a saint, nor yet a sinner quite.

I break one law, another law to keep;

The laws of death and hate I scorn to keep,

The law of Love that is the law of Life—

That is the only law I dare to keep.

Sanction, O God, some little pleasant thing,

Nor set our every joy with snare and sting;

I would not break Thy law,—yet must I still

Unto my innocent transgressions cling.