Page:The Sacred Books and Early Literature of the East, Volume 08.djvu/77



I flew here, as a bird from the wild, in aim

Up to a higher nest my course to frame;

But, finding here no guide who knows the way,

Fly out by the same door where through I came.

He binds us in resistless Nature's chain,

And yet bids us our natures to restrain;

Between these counter rules we stand perplexed,

"Hold the jar slant, but all the wine retain.

They go away, and none is seen returning,

To teach that other world's recondite learning;

'Twill not be shown for dull mechanic prayers,

For prayer is naught without true heartfelt yearning.

Go to! Cast dust on those deaf skies, who spurn

Thy orisons and bootless prayers, and learn

To quaff the cup, and hover round the fair;

Of all who go, did ever one return?

Though Khayyam strings no pearls of righteous deeds,

Nor sweeps from off his soul sin's noisome weeds,

Yet will he not despair of heavenly grace,

Seeing that One as two he ne'er misreads.

Again to tavern-haunts do we repair,

And say "Adieu " to the five hours of prayer;

Where'er we see a long-necked flask of wine,

We elongate our necks that wine to share.