Page:The Sacred Books and Early Literature of the East, Volume 08.djvu/94



Lament not fortune's want of constancy,

But up! and seize her favors ere they fee;

If fortune always cleaved to other men,

How could a turn of luck have come to thee?

Chief of old friends! harken to what I say,

Let not heaven's treacherous wheel your heart dismay;

But rest contented in your humble nook,

And watch the games that wheel is wont to play.

Hear now Khayyam's advice, and bear in mind,

Consort with revelers, though they be maligned,

Cast down the gates of abstinence and prayer,

Yea, drink, and even rob, but, oh! be kind!

This world a body is, and God its soul,

And angels are its senses, who control

Its limbs---the creatures, elements, and spheres;

The One is the sole basis of the whole.

Last night that idol who enchants my heart,

With true desire to elevate my heart,

Gave me his cup to drink; when I refused,

He said, "Oh, drink to gratify my heart!"

Would'st thou have fortune bow her neck to thee,

Make it thy care to feed thy soul with glee;

And hold a creed like mine, which is to drain

The cup of wine, not that of misery.