Page:The Sacred Books and Early Literature of the East, Volume 08.djvu/93



Endure this world without my wine I cannot!

Drag on life's load without my cups I cannot!

I am the slave of that sweet moment, when

They say, "Take one more goblet," and I can not!

You, who both day and night the world pursue,

And thoughts of that dread day of doom eschew,

Bethink you of your latter end; be sure

As time has treated others, so 'twill you!

O man, who are creation's summary,

Getting and spending too much trouble thee!

Arise, and quaff the Etern Cupbearer's wine,

And so from troubles of both worlds be free!

In this eternally revolving zone,

Two lucky species of men are known;

One knows all good and ill that are on earth,

One neither earth's affairs, nor yet his own.

Make light to me the world's oppressive weight,

And hide my failings from the people's hate,

And grant me peace to-day, and on the morrow

Deal with me as Thy mercy may dictate!

Souls that are well informed of this world's state,

Its weal and woe with equal mind await:

For, be it weal we meet, or be it woe,

The weal doth pass, and woe too hath its date.