The Literature of Arabia Part 8

_Abou Ha.s.san Alanbary_.

[25] Ebn Bakiah was vizir to Azzad Addaulet or Bachteir, Emir Alomra of Bagdad, under the Caliphs Moti Lillah and Tay Lillah; but Azzad Addaulet being deprived of his office, and driven from Bagdad by Adhed Addaulet, Sultan of Persia, Ebn Bakiah was seized and crucified at the gates of the city, by order of the conqueror.

CAPRICES OF FORTUNE[26]

Why should I blush that Fortune's frown Dooms me life's humble paths to tread?

To live unheeded, and unknown?

To sink forgotten to the dead?

'Tis not the good, the wise, the brave, That surest shine, or highest rise; The feather sports upon the wave, The pearl in ocean's cavern lies.

Each lesser star that studs the sphere Sparkles with undiminish'd light: Dark and eclips'd alone appear The lord of day, the queen of night.

_Shems Almaali Cabus_.

[26] History can show few princes so amiable and few so unfortunate as Shems Almaali Cabus. He is described as possessed of almost every virtue and every accomplishment: his piety, justice, generosity, and humanity, are universally celebrated; nor was he less conspicuous for intellectual powers; his genius was at once penetrating, solid, and brilliant, and he distinguished himself equally as an orator, a philosopher, and a poet.

ON LIFE

Like sheep, we're doom'd to travel o'er The fated track to all a.s.sign'd, These follow those that went before, And leave the world to those behind.

As the flock seeks the pasturing shade, Man presses to the future day, While death, amidst the tufted glade, Like the dun robber,[A] waits his prey.

[A] The wolf.

EXTEMPORE VERSES[27]

Lowering as Barkaidy's face The wintry night came in, Cold as the music of his ba.s.s, And lengthen'd as his chin.

Sleep from my aching eyes had fled, And kept as far apart, As sense from Ebn Fahdi's head, Or virtue from his heart.

The dubious paths my footsteps balk'd, I slipp'd along the sod, As if on Jaber's faith I'd walk'd, Or on his truth had trod.

At length the rising King of day Burst on the gloomy wood, Like Carawash's eye, whose ray Dispenses every good.

_Ebn Alramacram_.

[27] The occasion of the following composition is thus related by Abulfeda. Carawash, Sultan of Mousel, being one wintry evening engaged in a party of pleasure along with Barkaidy, Ebn Fahdi, Abou Jaber, and the improvisatore poet, Ebn Alramacram, resolved to divert himself at the expense of his companions. He therefore ordered the poet to give a specimen of his talents, which at the same time should convey a satire upon the three courtiers, and a compliment to himself. Ebn Alramacram took his subject from the stormy appearance of the night, and immediately produced these verses.

ON THE DEATH OF A SON[28]

Tyrant of man! Imperious Fate!

I bow before thy dread decree, Nor hope in this uncertain state To find a seat secure from thee.

Life is a dark, tumultuous stream, With many a care and sorrow foul, Yet thoughtless mortals vainly deem That it can yield a limpid bowl.

Think not that stream will backward flow, Or cease its destin'd course to keep; As soon the blazing spark shall glow Beneath the surface of the deep.

Believe not Fate at thy command Will grant a meed she never gave; As soon the airy tower shall stand, That's built upon a pa.s.sing wave.

Life is a sleep of threescore years, Death bids us wake and hail the light, And man, with all his hopes and fears, Is but a phantom of the night.

_Aly Ben Mohammed Altahmany_.

[28] Aly Ben Mohammed was a native of that part of Arabia called Hejaz; and was celebrated not only as a poet, but as a politician.

TO LEILA

Leila, with too successful art, Has spread for me love's cruel snare; And now, when she has caught my heart, She laughs, and leaves it to despair.

Thus the poor sparrow pants for breath, Held captive by a playful boy, And while it drinks the draught of death, The thoughtless child looks on with joy.

Ah! were its flutt'ring pinions free, Soon would it bid its chains adieu, Or did the child its suff'rings see, He'd pity and relieve them too.

ON MODERATION IN OUR PLEASURES[29]

How oft does pa.s.sion's grasp destroy The pleasure that it strives to gain?

How soon the thoughtless course of joy Is doom'd to terminate in pain?

When prudence would thy steps delay, She but restrains to make thee blest; Whate'er from joy she lops away, But heightens and secures the rest.

Wouldst thou a trembling flame expand, That hastens in the lamp to die?

With careful touch, with sparing hand, The feeding stream of life supply.

But if thy flask profusely sheds A rushing torrent o'er the blaze, Swift round the sinking flame it spreads, And kills the fire it fain would raise.

_Abou Alca.s.sim Ebn Tabataba_.

[29] Tabataba deduced his pedigree from Ali Ben Abou Taleb, and Fatima, the daughter of Mohammed. He was born at Ispahan, but pa.s.sed the princ.i.p.al part of his life in Egypt, where he was appointed chief of the sheriffs, i.e. the descendants of the Prophet, a dignity held in the highest veneration by every Mussulman. He died in the year of the Hegira 418, with the reputation of being one of the most excellent poets of his time.

THE VALE OF BOZAA[30]

The intertwining boughs for thee Have wove, sweet dell, a verdant vest, And thou in turn shalt give to me A verdant couch upon thy breast.

To shield me from day's fervid glare Thine oaks their fostering arms extend, As anxious o'er her infant care I've seen a watchful mother bend.

A brighter cup, a sweeter draught, I gather from that rill of thine, Than maddening drunkards ever quaff'd, Than all the treasures of the vine.

So smooth the pebbles on its sh.o.r.e, That not a maid can thither stray, But counts her strings of jewels o'er, And thinks the pearls have slipp'd away.

_Ahmed Ben Yousef Almenazy_.