The Sufistic Quatrains Of Omar Khayyam Part 44

Some hanker after that vain phantasy Of Houris, feigned in Paradise to be, But, when the veil is lifted, they will find How far they are from Thee, how far from Thee!

184. C. L. N. A. I.

185.

In Paradise, they tell us, Houris dwell, And fountains run with wine and oxymel: If these be lawful in the world to come, Surely 'tis right to love them here as well.

185. C. L. N. A. I. J.

186.

A draught of wine would make a mountain dance, Base is the churl who looks at wine askance; Wine is a soul our bodies to inspire, A truce to this vain talk of temperance!

186. C. L. N. A. I.

187.

Oft doth my soul her prisoned state bemoan, Her earth-born co-mate she would fain disown, And quit, did not the stirrup of the law Upbear her foot from dashing on the stone.

187. N. Meaning, I would make away with myself, were it not for the Almighty's canon 'gainst self-slaughter.

188.

The moon of Ramazan is risen, see!

Alas, our wine must henceforth banished be; Well! on Sha'ban's last day I'll drink enough To keep me drunk till Bairam's jubilee.

188. C. L. N. A. I. Note _wa_ omitted in line 2. Also ascribed to Jalal 'Asad Bardi.

189.

From life we draw now wine, now dregs to drink, Now flaunt in silk, and now in tatters shrink; Such changes wisdom holds of slight account To those who stand on death's appalling brink!

189. N.

190.

What sage the eternal tangle e'er unravelled, Or one short step beyond his nature travelled?

From pupils to the masters turn your eyes, And see, each mother's son alike is gravelled.

190. C. L. N. A. B. I. In line 1 note _ra_ put after the genitive, following its noun. _'Ijz._ ... impotence is in the hand of each.

Beyond his nature, _i.e._, beyond the limit of his own thought.

191.

Crave not of worldly sweets to take your fill, Nor wait on turns of fortune, good or ill; Be of light heart, as are the skies above, They roll a round or two, and then lie still.

191. C. L. N. A. B. I. The skies have their allotted term like you, yet do not distress themselves.

192.

What eye can pierce the veil of G.o.d's decrees, Or read the riddle of earth's destinies?

Pondered have I for years threescore and ten, But still am baffled by these mysteries.

192. C. L. N. A. I. So Job, The thunder of his power who can understand?

193.

They say, when the last trump shall sound its knell, Our Friend will sternly judge, and doom to h.e.l.l.

Can aught but good from perfect goodness come?

Compose your trembling hearts, 'twill all be well.

193. C. L. N. A. I. J. _Juzi_, (?) _juz az_.

194.

Drink wine to root up metaphysic weeds, And tangle of the two-and-seventy creeds; Do not forswear that wondrous alchemy, 'Twill turn to gold, and cure a thousand needs.

194. C. L. N. A. B. I. Muhammad said, My people shall be divided into seventy-three sects, all of which, save one, shall have their portion in the fire. Poc.o.c.k, Specimen 210.

195.

Though drink is wrong, take care with whom you drink, And who you are that drink, and what you drink; And drink at will, for, these three points observed, Who but the very wise can ever drink?

195. C. L. N. A. B. I. A hit at the casuistry on the subject of wine.

196.

To drain a gallon beaker I design, Yea, two great beakers, brimmed with richest wine; Old faith and reason thrice will I divorce, Then take to wife the daughter of the vine.

196. C. N. A. I. A triple divorce is irrevocable. Koran, ii. 230.

197.

True I drink wine, like every man of sense, For I know Allah will not take offence; Before time was, He knew that I should drink, And who am I to thwart His prescience?