Page:The Sacred Books and Early Literature of the East, Volume 08.djvu/42



To knaves Thy secret we must not confide,

To comprehend it is to fools denied,

See then to what hard case Thou doomest men,

Our hopes from one and all perforce we hide.

Cupbearer! what though fate's blows here betide us,

And a safe resting-place be here denied us,

So long as the bright wine-cup stands between us,

We have the very Truth at hand to guide us.

Long time in wine and rose I took delight,

But then my business never went aright;

Since wine could not accomplish my desire,

I have abandoned and forsworn it quite.

Bring wine! my heart with dancing spirit teems,

Wake I fortune's waking is as feeting dreams;

Quicksilver-like our days are swift of foot,

And youthful fire subsides as torrent streams.

Love's devotees, not Muslims here you see,

Not Solomons, but ants of low degree;

Here are but faces wan and tattered rags,

No store of Cairene cloth or silk have we.

My law it is in pleasure's paths to stray,

My creed to shun the theologic fray;

I wedded Luck, and offered her a dower,

She said, "I want none, so thy heart be gay."