Page:The Sacred Books and Early Literature of the East, Volume 08.djvu/112



If, like a ball, earth to my house were borne,

When drunk, I'd rate it at a balrleycorn;

Last night they offered me in pawn for wine,

But the rude vintner laughed that pledge to scorn.

Now in thick clouds Thy face Thou dost immerse,

And now display it in this universe;

Thou the spectator, Thou the spectacle,

Sole to Thyself Thy glories dost rehearse.

Better to make one soul rejoice with glee,

Than plant a desert with a colony;

Rather one freeman bind with chains of love,

Than set a thousand prisoned captives free!

O thou who for thy pleasure dost impart

A pang of sorrow to thy fellow's heart,

Go! mourn thy perished wit, and peace of mind,

Thyself hast slain them, like the fool thou art!

Wherever you can get two maunds of wine,

Set to, and drink it like a libertine;

Whoso acts thus will set his spirit free

From saintly airs like yours, and grief like mine.

So long as I possess two maunds of wine,

Bread of the flower of wheat, and mutton chine,

And you, O Tulip cheek, to share my hut,

Not every Sultan's lot can vie with mine.