The Kasidah of Haji Abdu El-Yezdi by Sir Richard Francis Burton
page 6 of 91 (06%)
page 6 of 91 (06%)
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What endless questions vex the thought, of Whence and Whither, When and How? What fond and foolish strife to read the Scripture writ on human brow; As stand we percht on point of Time, betwixt the two Eternities, Whose awful secrets gathering round with black profound oppress our eyes. "This gloomy night, these grisly waves, these winds and whirlpools loud and dread: What reck they of our wretched plight who Safety's shore so lightly tread?" Thus quoth the Bard of Love and Wine,* whose dream of Heaven ne'er could rise Beyond the brimming Kausar-cup and Houris with the white-black eyes; * Hafiz of Shiraz. Ah me! my race of threescore years is short, but long enough to pall My sense with joyless joys as these, with Love and Houris, Wine and all. Another boasts he would divorce old barren Reason from his bed, |
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