Page:The Sacred Books and Early Literature of the East, Volume 08.djvu/50



If grace be grace, and Allah gracious be,

Adam from Paradise why banished He?

Grace to poor sinners shown is grace indeed;

In grace hard earned by works no grace I see.

Dame Fortune's smiles are full of guile, beware!

Her scimitar is sharp to smite, take care!

If e'er she drop a sweetmeat in thy mouth,

'Tis poisonous-to swallow it forbear!

Where'er you see a rose or tulip bed,

Know that a mighty monarch's blood was shed

And where the violet rears her purple tuft,

Be sure a black-moled girl hath laid her head.

Wine is a melting ruby, cup its mine;

Cup is the body, and the soul is wine;

These crystal goblets smile with ruddy wine

Like tears, that blood of wounded hearts enshrine.

Drink wine! 'tis life etern, and travail's meed,

Fruitage of youth, and balm of age's need:

'Tis the glad time of roses, wine, and friends;

Rejoice thy spirit---that is life indeed.

Drink wine! long must you sleep within the tomb,

Without a friend, or wife to cheer your gloom;

Hear what I say, and tell it not again,

"Never again can withered tulips bloom. "