Page:The Sacred Books and Early Literature of the East, Volume 08.djvu/110



Why unripe grapes are sharp, prithee explain,

And then grow sweet, while wine is sharp again?

When one has carved a block into a lute,

Can he from that same block a pipe obtain?

When dawn doth silver the dark firmament,

Why shrills the bird of dawning his lament?

It is to show in dawn's bright looking-glass

How of thy careless life a night is spent.

Cupbearer, come! from thy full-throated ewer

Pour blood-red wine, the world's despite to cure!

Where can I find another friend like wine,

So genuine, so solacing, so pure?

Though you should sit in sage Aristo's room,

Or rival Csesar on his throne of Rum,

Drain Jemshid's goblet, for your end's the tomb,

Yea, were you Bahram's self, your end's the tomb!

It chanced into a potter's shop I strayed,

He turned his wheel and deftly plied his trade,

And out of monarchs' heads, and beggars' feet,

Fair heads and handles for his pitchers made!

If you have sense, true senselessness attain,

And the Etern Cupbearer's goblet drain;

If not, true senselessness is not for you---

Not every fool true senselessness can gain!