Page:The Sacred Books and Early Literature of the East, Volume 08.djvu/65



What eye can pierce the veil of God's decrees,

Or read the riddle of earth's destinies?

Pondered have I for years threescore and ten,

But still am baffled by these mysteries.

They say, when the last trump shall sound its knell,

Our Friend will sternly judge, and doom to hell.

Can aught but good from perfect goodness come?

Compose your trembling hearts, 'twill all be well.

Drink wine to root up metaphysic weeds,

And tangle of the two-and-seventy creeds;

Do not forswear that wondrous alchemy,

'Twill turn to gold, and cure a thousand needs.

Though drink is wrong, take care with whom you drink,

And who you are that drink, and what you drink;

And drink at will, for, these three points observed,

Who but the very wise can ever drink?

To drain a gallon beaker I design,

Yea, two great beakers, brimmed with richest wine;

Old faith and reason thrice will I divorce,

Then take to wife the daughter of the vine.

True I drink wine, like every man of sense,

For I know Allah will not take offense;

Before time was, He know that I should drink,

And who am I to thwart His prescience?