Page:The Sacred Books and Early Literature of the East, Volume 08.djvu/75



I saw a busy potter by the way

Kneading with might and main a lump of clay;

And, lo! the clay cried, "Use me gently, pray;

I was a man myself but yesterday!"

Oh! wine is richer that the realm of Jam,

More fragrant than the food of Miriam;

Sweeter are sighs that drunkards heave at morn

Than strains of Bu Sa'id and Bin Adham.

Deep in the rondure of the heavenly blue,

There is a cup, concealed from mortals' view,

Which all must drink in turn; Oh, sigh not then,

But drink it boldly, when it comes to you!

Though you should live to four, or forty score,

Go hence you must, as all have gone before;

Then, be you king, or beggar of the streets,

They'll rate you all the same, no less, no more.

If you seek Him, abandon child and wife,

Arise, and sever all these ties to life;

All these are bonds to check you on your course.

Arise, and cut these bonds, as with a knife.

O heart! this world is but a fleeting show,

Why should its empty griefs distress thee so?

Bow down, and bear thy fate, the eternal pen

Will not unwrite its roll for thee, I trow!