Page:The Luzumiyat of Abu'l-Ala.djvu/13

 I have walked and I have slept beside thee,
 * I have laughed and I have wept as well;

I have heard the voices of thy silence
 * Melting in thy Jannat and thy hell.

I remember, too, that once the Saki
 * Filled the antique cup and gave it thee;

Now, filled with the treasures of thy wisdom,
 * Thou dost pass that very cup to me.

By the God of thee, my Syrian Brother,
 * Which is best, the Saki's cup or thine?

Which the mystery divine uncovers—
 * If the cover covers aught divine.

And if it lies hid in the soul of silence
 * Like incense in the dust of ambergris,

Wouldst thou burn it to perfume the terror
 * Of the caverns of the dried-up seas?

Where'er it be, Oh! let it be, my Brother.—
 * Though "thrice-imprisoned,"i thou hast forged
 * us more

Solid weapons for the life-long battle
 * Than all the Heaven-taught Armorers of yore.