Page:The Sacred Books and Early Literature of the East, Volume 08.djvu/48



O men of morals! why do ye defame,

And thus misjudge me? I am not to blame.

Save weakness for the grape, and female charms,

What sins of mine can any of ye name?

Who treads in passion's footsteps here below,

A helpless pauper will depart, I trow;

Remember who you are, and whence you come.

Consider what you do, and whither go.

Skies like a zone our weary lives enclose,

And from our tear-stained eyes a Jihun flows;

Hell is a fire enkindled of our griefs;

Heaven but a moment's peace, stolen from our woes.

I drown in sin---show me Thy clemency!

My soul is dark---make me Thy light to see!

A heaven that must be earned by painful works,

I call a wage, not a gift fair and free.

Did He who made me fashion me for hell,

Or destine me for heaven? I can not tell.

Yet will I not renounce cup, lute, and love,

Nor earthly cash for heavenly credit sell.

From right and left the censors came and stood,

Saying, "Renounce this wine, this foe of good";

But if wine be the foe of holy faith,

By Allah, right it is to drink its blood!