And, raising to her ruby mouth

That passionate record of her truth,

1910

Kiss'd it a thousand times, and shed

A flood of tears, whilst mournfully she said—

To him this sad memorial give—

To him for whom alone I live.""

Majnún, perplex'd, with painful feelings riven,
Seem'd to refuse what still to him was Heaven;
Imputed falsehood swept across his mind,
But left no dark distrustful thoughts behind.
At length, the writing eagerly he took;
But, as he read, he falter'd, wept, and shook.
Adoring the Creator, she began-

66

Beyond the praise of tongue, to mortal man

1920

His love and goodness,"—thus her námeh ran—
"He with the light of wisdom cheers the soul;
He bids the cheek to glow, the eye to roll,
And every mortal bends to his control.

To this, he scatters jewels bright and rare,

To that, good sense to strive with worldly care:
To me he gave the love which time defies--

The love I bear thee, spotless from the skies;
Fountain of Khizer, sparkling in the shade!
Fountain of life to thine own Arab maid!

In truth and love to thee my heart was given,-
That truth and love remain, the gift of Heaven.
Though far from thee-a wife against my will,
I am thine own affianced partner still:

1930

Still single-still, in purity and faith,

Thine own unchanged-unchangeable in death.
Thou 'rt all the world to me-the very earth

Thou tread'st on is to me of matchless worth; 1940

Yet in a different sphere my race is run;

I am the moon, and thou the radiant sun :
By destiny thus sunder'd-how can I

Merit reproach, who at thy feet would die?

Since thus divided, pity thou my lot,

With all thy vows and raptures unforgot;

Life's sweetest flow'rets, in their brightest bloom,
Turn'd to the bitterness of fell Zikúm."

Yes, Majnún wept and shook; and now

What answer could he frame, and how?

1950

A wanderer, destitute-no reed,

No tablets, to supply his need—

But Laili's messenger had brought

The means-and thus the maniac wrote:-
"To him who form'd the starry throne
Of heaven, and rules the world alone;

Who, in the dark mysterious mine,
Maketh the unseen diamond shine;
Who thus on human life bestows
The gem which in devotion glows;
To him be gratitude and praise,
The constant theme of Moslem lays!

1960

-A burning heart, in sorrow deep,
What can it do but sigh and weep?
And what can this memorial bear
To thee, but wailings of despair?
I am the dust beneath thy feet,

Though destined never more to meet.

Thy beauty is my Kâba shrine,

The arc of heaven, for ever mine;
Garden of Irem-hid from me,

The Paradise I must not see;

Yet thou hast quench'd my genial light;
My day is now like blackest night.

With fondness on thy flattering tongue

Thou smilest, and my heart is wrung;

For those whose tongues are gentlest found
Are wont to give the deadliest wound.
The lily's petals oft appear

As fatal as the sword or spear.

She, whom 'twas rapture to behold,

Could she be basely bought and sold?
Couldst thou to me thy promise break,
And spurn me for another's sake?
Acting a bland deceiver's part,

And solacing another's heart!

But, peace!—no more of thoughts so sad,

Or I shall grow intensely mad;

I yearn no more those lips to press;

But is the joy of memory less?

-

1970

1980

1990

The morning-breeze thy fragrance brings;

And up my heart exulting springs;
Still more when I reflecting see
How once the cup was fill'd by thee.

O Heaven! how rapturous to receive
That which forbids the heart to grieve;
To sit with thee in amorous play,
And quaff the ruby every day ;
To kiss those lips, all honey-dew,
Of liquid bright cornelian hue!
O! could I kiss them once again!
The fancy fires my wilder'd brain.
-Need I the painter's art to trace
The lineaments of thy angel face?
No-they're indelibly impress'd
Within my ever-faithful breast.
'Tis ours, divided, to deplore

Scenes we can never witness more;

2000

But, though on earth denied to rest,

Shall we not both in heaven be bless'd?"

2010

Majnún's distracted state was not unknown
Where to the wretched kindness could be shown;

A wealthy chieftain (Selim was his name),

Whose generous deeds had won the world's acclaim;
Whose heart was still on others' woes engaged-
He heal'd their wounds, their anguish he assuaged;

Raiment and various food had oft supplied,

Where'er the love-lorn wanderer might abide.
Mounted upon his rapid steed, one day,

He sought the distant place where Majnún lay; 2020
And him at length, with placid mien, he found
By herds of forest-beasts encompass'd round.
Fearful of savage natures, he retired,

'Til Majnún, beckoning, confidence inspired;
And then, approaching near, he told his name,
And recognised him, though his wasted frame
Seem'd an uncoffin'd corse. Ashamed, he said
"O let these robes thy naked body shade,
These robes for thee brought hither." "Not for me;
I want no covering,-without clothes I'm free. 2030
Behold these tatter'd fragments, thrown aside;
These once were robes, and once my foolish pride."
But, press'd again, those tatters he resumed,
And sat like one to death and darkness doom'd.-
Now savoury viands were before him spread,
But not a morsel raised he to his head;

He turn'd him round, and, scorning the repast,

To his familiars all the banquet cast.

Then Selim asked-" What is thy food, my friend?

Without support, thy life must quickly end."

"My spirit's freshness, and its secret power,

2040

Come from the breeze which marks the morning-hour; Yes, every zephyr from my mistress brings

Life to the soul upon its fragrant wings;