Page:The Sacred Books and Early Literature of the East, Volume 08.djvu/53



Ten Powers, and nine spheres, eight heavens made He,

And planets seven, of six sides, as we see,

Five senses, and four elements, three souls,

Two worlds, but only one, O man, like thee.

Jewry hath seen a thousand prophets die,

Sinai a thousand Musas mount the sky;

How many Caesars Rome's proud forum crossed!

'Neath Wasra's dome how many monarchs lie!

Gold breeds not wit, but to wit lacking bread

Earth's flowery carpet seems a dungeon bed;

'Tis his full purse that makes the rose to smile,

While empty-handed violets hang the head.

Heaven's wheel has made full many a heart to moan,

And many a budding rose to earth has thrown;

Plume thee not on thy youth and lusty strength,

Full many a bud is blasted ere 'tis blown.

What lord is fit to rule but "Truth "? Not one.

What beings disobey His rule? Not one.

All things that are, are such as He decrees;

And naught is there beside beneath the sun.

That azure-colored vault and golden tray

Have turned, and will turn yet for many a day;

And just so we, impelled by turns of fate---

Come here but for a while, then pass away.