The Kasidah of Haji Abdu El-Yezdi by Sir Richard Francis Burton
page 38 of 91 (41%)
page 38 of 91 (41%)
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To fate-doomed Sinner born and bred
for dangling from the gallows-tree; To Saint who spends his holy days in rapt'urous hope his God to see; To all that breathe our upper air the hands of Dest'iny ever deal, In fixed and equal parts, their shares of joy and sorrow, woe and weal. "How comes it, then, our span of days in hunting wealth and fame we spend "Why strive we (and all humans strive) for vain and visionary end?" Reply: mankind obeys a law that bids him labour, struggle, strain; The Sage well knowing its unworth, the Fool a-dreaming foolish gain. And who, 'mid e'en the Fools, but feels that half the joy is in the race For wealth and fame and place, nor sighs when comes success to crown the chase? Again: in Hind, Chin, Franguestan that accident of birth befell, Without our choice, our will, our voice: Faith is an accident as well. |
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