Page:The Sacred Books and Early Literature of the East, Volume 08.djvu/73



Heaven multiplies our sorrows day by day,

And grants no joys it does not take away;

If those unborn could know the ills we bear,

What think you, would they rather come or stay?

Why ponder thus the future to foresee,

And jade thy brain to vain perplexity?

Cast off thy care, leave Allah's plans to him---

He formed them all without consulting thee.

The tenants of the tombs to dust decay,

Nescient of self, and all beside are they;

Their sundered atoms float about the world,

Like mirage clouds, until the judgment-day.

O soul! lay up all earthly goods in store,

Thy mead with pleasure's flowerets spangled o'er;

And know 'tis all as dew, that decks the flowers

For one short night, and then is seen no more!

Heed not the Sunna, nor the law divine;

If to the poor his portion you assign,

And never injure one, nor yet abuse,

I guarantee you heaven, and now some wine!

Vexed by this wheel of things, that pets the base,

My sorrow-laden life drags on apace;

Like rosebud, from the storm I wrap me close,

And blood-spots on my heart, like tulip, trace.