Page:The Sacred Books and Early Literature of the East, Volume 08.djvu/99



"Take up thy cup and goblet, Love, " I said,

"Haunt purling river bank, and grassy glade;

Full many a moon-like form has heaven's wheel

Oft into cup, oft into goblet, made!"

We buy new wine and old, our cups to fill,

And sell for two grains this world's good and ill;

Know you where you will go to after death?

Set wine before me, and go where you will!

Was e'er man born who never went astray?

Did ever mortal pass a sinless day?

If I do ill, do not requite with ill!

Evil for evil how can'st Thou repay?

Bring forth that ruby gem of Badakhshan,

That heart's delight, that balm of Turkestan;

They say 'tis wrong for Mussulmans to drink,

But ah! where can we find a Mussulman?

My body's life and strength proceed from Thee!

My soul within and spirit are of Thee!

My being is of Thee, and Thou art mine,

And I am Thine, since I am lost in Thee!

Man, like a ball, hither and thither goes,

As fate's resistless bat directs the blows;

But He, who gives thee up to this rude sport,

He knows what drives thee, yea, He knows, He knows!