Part 63 (1/2)

440. N. _Ta bar nikashand_, Let us abstain from oppressing people, so that they may not heave a sigh, saying, O Lord.

441.

This soul of mine was once Thy cherished bride, What caused Thee to divorce her from Thy side?

Thou didst not use to treat her thus of yore, Why then now doom her in the world to abide?

441. L. N.

442.

Ah! would there were a place of rest from pain, Which we, poor pilgrims, might at last attain, And after many thousand wintry years, Renew our life, like flowers, and bloom again!

442. C. N. A. I. J.

443.

While in love's book I sought an augury; An ardent youth cried out in ecstasy, Who owns a sweetheart beauteous as the moon, Might wish his moments long as years to be!

443. C. L. N. A. I. Compare the _sortes Virgilianae._ Line 4 is freely paraphrased.

444.

Winter is past, and spring-tide has begun, Soon will the pages of life's book be done!

Well saith the sage, Life is a poison rank, And antidote, save grape-juice, there is none.

444. C. L. N. A. I. J.

445.

Beloved, if thou a reverend Molla be, Quit saintly show, and feigned austerity, And quaff the wine that Murtaza purveys, And sport with Houris 'neath some shady tree!

445. N. Note the change from the imperative to the aorist. In line 4 scan _Murtazasha_. _Murtaza_ (Ali) is the celestial cupbearer.

446.

Last night I dashed my cup against a stone, In a mad drunken freak, as I must own, And lo! the cup cries out in agony, You too, like me, shall soon be overthrown.

446. C. L. N. A. B. I. _Saboyiy, ya i batni_, joined to the noun by euphonic or conjunctive _ya_.

447.

My heart is weary of hypocrisy, Cupbearer, bring some wine, I beg of thee!