The Sufistic Quatrains Of Omar Khayyam Part 58

374.

Have you no shame for all the sins you do, Sins of omission and commission too?

Suppose you gain the world, you can but leave it, You cannot carry it away with you!

374. C. L. N. A. I. J.

375.

In a lone waste I saw a debauchee, He had no home, no faith, no heresy, No G.o.d, no truth, no law, no cert.i.tude; Where in this world is man so bold as he?

375. L. N. A _beshara'_ or antinomian Sufi.

376.

Some look for truth in creeds, and forms, and rules; Some grope for doubts or dogmas in the schools; But from behind the veil a voice proclaims, Your road lies neither here nor there, O fools.

376. C. L. N. A. I. Truth, hidden from theologians and philosophers, is revealed to mystics. See _Gulshan i Raz_, p. 11.

377.

In heaven is seen the bull we name Parwin, Beneath the earth another lurks unseen; And thus to wisdom's eyes mankind appear A drove of a.s.ses, two great bulls between!

377. L. N. The bulls are the constellation Taurus, and that which supports the earth.

378.

The people say, Why not drink somewhat less?

What reasons have you for such great excess?

First, my Love's face, second, my morning draught; Can there be clearer reasons, now confess?

378. C. L. N. A. I. J.

379.

Had I the power great Allah to advise, I'd bid him sweep away this earth and skies, And build a better, where, unclogged and free, The clear soul might achieve her high emprise.

379. C. L. N. A. I. J. This recalls the celebrated speech of Alphonso X., king of Castile.

380.

This silly sorrow-laden heart of mine Is ever pining for that Love of mine; When the Cupbearer poured the wine of love, With my heart's blood he filled this cup of mine!

380. C. L. N. A. I. Meaning, the wine of life, or existence, poured by the Deity into all beings at creation. See _Gulshan i Raz_, p. 80.

381.

To drain the cup, to hover round the fair, Can hypocritic arts with these compare?

If all who love and drink are going wrong, There's many a wight of heaven may well despair!

381. L. N. B.

382.

'Tis wrong with gloomy thoughts your mirth to drown,-- To let grief's millstone weigh your spirits down; Since none can tell what is to be, 'tis best With wine and love your heart's desires to crown.

382. C. L. N. A. B. I. J.

383.

'Tis well in reputation to abide, 'Tis shameful against heaven to rail and chide; Still, head had better ache with over drink, Than be puffed up with Pharisaic pride!

383. C. L. N. A. I. J. Compare Tartufe, i. 6.

384.

O Lord! pity this prisoned heart, I pray, Pity this bosom stricken with dismay!

Pardon these hands that ever grasp the cup, These feet that to the tavern ever stray!

384. N.

385.

O Lord! from self-conceit deliver me, Sever from self, and occupy with Thee!

This self is captive to earth's good and ill, Make me beside myself, and set me free!

385. C. L. N. A. I. J. A Mystic's prayer.

386.

Behold the tricks this wheeling dome doth play, And earth laid bare of old friends torn away!

O live this present moment, which is thine, Seek not a morrow, mourn not yesterday!

386. L. B. An odd expression.

387.