NIVERSITY OF CAL FORNIA SAN EGO 
 
 3 1822 00204 6159 
 
 D 000675543 3 
 
 MIRZA~MEM'N
 
 JNIVERSTYOFCALFO NA SAN D EG 
 
 3 1822 00204 6159
 
 LA JOLLA. CALIFORNIA 
 
 of 
 
 CHICAGO. ILLINOIS. U.S.A. 
 
 HENRY OLENDORF SHEPARD 
 1901
 
 COPYRKiMTKI) BV 
 
 HKNRV OLENDORF SHEPARU 
 
 CHICAGO, ll.l... f. S. A. 
 1901 
 
 THIRD EDITION 
 
 PRINTED BY THE HKNRV O. SHHPARD Co. 
 
 212-214 MONROE STREET, 
 
 CHICAGO. Ii.u
 
 Co tljoge genuine 
 ^ig^ prie$t$ in 
 t^e Cemple of Mature, 
 earnest anti un< 
 labors alone 
 made it po^ible 
 for manfeinD to Differ^ 
 entiate^ fcetelop anD 
 improte,
 
 
 ; 
 
 I Kl 
 
 "Hnd Sir CCliUiam said grave grace, and they spake 
 polite, devout things to one another; and they are van 
 ished, they and their things and speeches all silent lihe 
 the echoes of the old nightingales that sang that season ; 
 like the blossoms of the old roses; O Death! O Cime!" 
 
 C. 
 
 " Gvery heart in which ficavcn hath set the lamp of 
 Hove, whether that heart incline to the mosque or syna 
 gogue, if its name be written in the booh of love, it is 
 freed from the fear of hell and the hope of paradise.** 
 
 OMAR KHAYYAM.
 
 EXPLANATORY NOTE.. 
 
 Chose stanzas of the Rubaiyat, the numbers of which 
 are indicated below, are all more or less literally para 
 phrased from McCarthy's elegant prose translation of the 
 Rubaiyat of Omar Khayyam. 
 
 S. 6, 7 H 1* 4 >8, '9f 23, 24, 29 tO 33, 36, 37f 
 
 , 44 5 it 5254 56, 57> 60, 61, 79, 80, 85 to
 
 Rubaiyat 
 
 LGGP on. '"Cis now the waning hour of night, 
 Olhen wings afar Queen ]Mab her magic flight, 
 
 "In shape no bigger than an agate stone," 
 'Co bring bright visions to thy psychic sight. 
 
 r> 
 
 II 
 
 O<fl briefly iridescent dreams abide: 
 Chose lovely visions, but in sleep descried, 
 
 In garish daylight, vanish as a mist. 
 Chen sleep; and may thy dreams be multiplied.
 
 r> 
 
 Ill 
 
 not the call of Muezzin austere; 
 No rude alarum breaking on thine ear, 
 
 Dream on till eve ; and then awake to me 
 Hnd Music in the twilight, doubly dear. 
 
 IV 
 
 f)6N wearied labor to its rest retires, 
 Hs Sunset kindles in the west, the Pyres 
 
 Of dying day, the evening Star, with Chec, 
 Shall wake the harmony my soul desires. 
 
 S twilight deepens, and soft shadows creep 
 Hround us; from the arching, azure deep, 
 
 H golden blazonry of stars proclaims 
 "Chat Night was made for Music, not for sleep.
 
 
 
 
 VII 
 
 TJS youths and maidens, in their happiness, 
 
 Dance down the forest aisles in flow'ry dress, 
 
 Wy wanton waste of wine shall change the sward 
 Co beds of tulips, where their footsteps press.
 
 Ill 
 
 f"V r the call of Muezzin austere; 
 
 md alarum breaking on thine ear, 
 
 cam on till eve : and then awafte to me 
 Music in the Cwilight, doubly dear. 
 
 nv 
 
 
 \vij^|ft l *iMbdvHl^>.t*l^<|l^ 
 watte the harmony my soul desires. 
 
 K 
 
 deepen*, and soft shadows creep 
 ; from the arching, arurc deep, 
 n blazonry of stars proclaims 
 it was made for JMusic, not for sleep.
 
 r - 
 
 VI 
 
 IF>6 "Scattering of Roses " comes tonight: 
 My soul cxultcth in the mad delight 
 Of breaking Law, as writ in Hlfcoran: 
 many a cup I'll crush in sheer despite. 
 
 VII 
 
 8 youths and maidens, in their happiness, 
 Dance down the forest aisles in flow'ry dress, 
 
 )My wanton waste of wine shall change the sward 
 'Co beds of tulips, where their footsteps press. 
 
 VIII 
 
 6 tfamshid's Cup is lost: but yet who knows? 
 for, in the chalice of the Crimson Rose, 
 "Che crystal dewdrops gleam like ruby wine; 
 o' Iram's hidden, still the <ZZine-cup glows.
 
 IX 
 
 rNLOCK those lips: one note I then might win 
 from that too silent Nightingale within 
 
 Chose Scarlet Lips, Love ; and those dewdrops sip, 
 <Qhich, envious grow still more incarnadine. 
 
 KILL high the Cdine-jar; ere the stars grow dim, 
 3Qe'll drown Remorse. <Kle must indulge our whim, 
 for Life is short, our empty dreams but shine, 
 Hnd break, like Bubbles on the Beaker's brim. 
 
 XI 
 
 earth's vagaries, do not question me; 
 JVor yet regarding things which arc to be. 
 Regard the present hour as plunder reft 
 from sad, uncertain human destiny.
 
 not thyself anent dead, bygone things; 
 what the dim, inchoate future brings. 
 "Chis fleeting life is but a trophy snatched 
 H plume down-drifting from Cime's rapid wings. 
 
 XIII 
 
 F)6JV cull the flower, ere its bloom is shed; 
 Live swiftly till the vital sparh has fled. 
 
 Che life we live is short; but O the length 
 Of endless Gons, after we are dead. 
 
 XIV 
 
 in Bagdad, or in Ispahan, 
 Sdhethcr Simooms blast, or soft Zephyrs fan 
 
 Our brows, the Golden Sand is spilling fast; 
 Bach hour grown briefer, since sweet life began*
 
 XV 
 
 OCl say, each night, in robes of white lace, bloom 
 "Che jNtght-flow'rs, pouring floods of sweet perfume; 
 
 But Morning breaks upon each withered flow'r, 
 H scentless blossom on dead Beauty's tomb. 
 
 //,. 
 
 XVI 
 
 GLL, but what of that; we have no concern; 
 Chese flowers yet may scr\>e a useful turn, 
 
 Hs mournful eidolons of wasted youth, 
 Laid softly on our cinerary urn. 
 
 XVII 
 
 urns of ashes merit scant respect, 
 If Golden Bowls of life are never decked 
 
 Cdith wreaths on wreaths of roses odorous 
 "Che living, not the dead, can feel neglect.
 
 XVIII 
 
 H 
 
 ]MHN is but a 3ar; bis soul is SOine. 
 Upfilling it with spirit of the Tine, 
 
 Cahich to his pleasures is a stimulant, 
 Hnd to his sorrows is an anodyne. 
 
 XIX 
 
 >8 Death, like Life, is but a harmless truth, 
 I dread it not, but mourn departing youth. 
 
 Che wine still mantles; but the sodden jar 
 Decaying, yields to Circle's remorseless tooth. 
 
 f)6 hope of Immortality depends 
 Hlone, on love of mortal life, which ends 
 
 Most opportunely; and the outworn clay 
 SQitb other clay inevitably blends.
 
 GRG endless life, which man dcsiretb, 
 But granted to him, hie immortal breath 
 
 ftlould e\>er waste in wild, impassioned prayer 
 "Co rest forever in eternal death. 
 
 XXII 
 
 Life's short day with happiness be blest, 
 "Chrice welcome Death's long night of peaceful rest. 
 Divested of our anxious hopes and fears, 
 seeh the shelter of our Mother's breast.
 
 XXIII 
 
 , the time has come, for Garth to be 
 JVIahmood's banner green. Che Hlmond-tree 
 3s snowy-white, as once was Closes' hand, 
 
 he outstretched it, white with leprosy.
 
 
 
 ik*o life, which man dcaircth, 
 Sot -.-- uncd to him, h( immortal breath 
 
 ever waste in wild, impassioned prayer 
 1 tore\>er in eternal death. 
 
 
 
 
 mxx 
 
 rest. 
 
 .<{eotqsj dtw at/dw t 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 
 , the time has come, for Garth to be 
 Like JMabmood's banner green. "Che Hlrnond-tree 
 
 Hs snowy-white, as once was JMoses' hand, 
 CCIhcn he outstretched it, white with leprosy. 
 
 OCCZ, quickened by the breath of Hllah, Garth 
 Brings forth her myriads at one mighty birth; 
 
 Hnd bows of promise, in the rainy shies, 
 Presage the richness of the harvest's worth. 
 
 xxv 
 
 'OJM6, fly with me, to where wild surges moan 
 Hround some Coral Isle, to man unknown; 
 
 <flbcre plumy palms are mirrored in the deep; 
 Hnd there, together, live and love alone.
 
 w 
 
 XXVI 
 
 :Cf) Omar's poem, Orient Pearl of mine, 
 
 Che palm slow dripping for us fragrant wine, 
 
 Che "nectared mangusteen" bung at our lips, 
 Hnd thy low Singing: Hh, 'twould be dixnne. 
 
 XXVII 
 
 modest blossom on the lea, 
 fields little nectar to the toiling bee. 
 
 Behold, a thousand roses are distilled, 
 Co make one drop of Httar sweet, for tbee. 
 
 XXVIII 
 
 Lilies toil not, neither do they spin; 
 But ]Man, for reputation bubble-thin, 
 
 3Qill slave on doggedly, and starve and die; 
 Hnd naught but vain and empty Credit win.
 
 XXIX 
 
 IF>ecr>6R the sordid old man pinch and save; 
 Or youth spend freely, what hind fortune gave; 
 Both -false and Cruc alike, are buried deep: 
 Hnd neither resurrected from the grave. 
 
 xxx 
 
 worrying, and curb thy greed for gold, 
 Chat aureate earth, so hard to grasp and hold* 
 
 Of what avail is all thy trafficking? 
 Che dine of Life is never bought nor sold. 
 
 XXXI 
 
 CF> boon companions comforting thy soul, 
 "JVtinc est bibendtim," is the song to troll. 
 
 for in thy room, when thou hast ceased to be, 
 "Chine enemies shall quaff the flowing bowl.
 
 XXXII 
 
 If Life's deep secret to the heart were known, 
 80 surely, when from earth the soul has flown, 
 
 far out into abysmal space, 'twill know 
 "Che secrets, which are known to God alone.
 
 >, fly with me, to where wild surges moan 
 H round some Coral Xslc, to man unknown; 
 
 Where plumy palms are mirrored in the deep; 
 Hnd there, together, live and love alone.
 
 XII 
 
 .f Life's deep secret to the heart were known, 
 So surely, when from earth the soul has flown, 
 
 r out into abysmal space, 'twill know 
 secrets, which arc known to God alone* 
 
 
 XXXIII 
 
 bli<*r 
 
 vxx 
 
 11 
 
 Upon the 
 Cwi solve a secret, which it can not now? 
 
 
 
 "4 ahmood's dream, that if we sacrifice 
 lines to Islam, that in paradise, 
 Che joys here lost, shall there be multiplied, 
 but a dream; such promises despise* 

 
 XXXV 
 
 r f>6 Date-palm blooms in beauty; but before 
 Che fruit is formed, the Khamsin sweeping o'er 
 "Che trackless desert, blasts the tender buds, 
 Hnd wrests from man the promised golden store. 
 
 XXXVI 
 
 and Clowns have trod this mimic stage 
 Of life. Che Sultan proud and humble page 
 
 Hppcar, and make their exits from the scene; 
 Hnd still the farce goes on from age to age. 
 
 xxxvn 
 
 r F)6 tawny Lion roars, and lachals creep 
 In JVimrod's palace, now a tumbled heap 
 Of shapeless shards. Re is oblivious, 
 Plunged in an everlasting, dreamless sleep.
 
 \F9 
 
 XXXVIII 
 
 R Niiwod's kingdom proud, I'd not resign 
 single witching, jetty curl of thine, 
 3dbicb clings caressingly around thy neck, 
 
 Hs loving tendrils 'round the Cbyrsus twine. 
 
 xxxix 
 
 1186 up and hither come, for mine heart's ease, 
 Solve just one problem of life's mysteries. 
 
 Che Casket's locked, O Sahi, but I'd swear 
 Chat from thy jeweled girdle bang the keys.
 
 "7^F) tawny Lion roars, and jackals creep 
 Xn pjimrod's palace, now a tumbled heap 
 Of shapeless shards. f)e is oblivious, 
 Plunged in an everlasting, dreamless sleep. 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 VIII 
 
 IIVXXX 
 
 
 
 
 XXXIX 
 
 or Her come, for mine heart's case, 
 
 **^ :>m problem of Ufe'e mystmce. 
 
 ^ched, O 8ahi, but Pd swear 
 cwclcd girdle hang the 

 
 XL 
 
 B 
 
 RIJX6 quickly here a flash of ancient wine, 
 Chat we may drink our fill of juice benign, 
 
 6re after-folk shall make from our cold clay, 
 Ccar-bottlcs for the weepings of the Tine. 
 
 XLI 
 
 'O blossom's odor e'er could be as sweet, 
 Hs thy Breath's perfume, when our fond lips meet; 
 
 Hnd rosebuds, peeping thro' their mossy veils, 
 Ht thy cheek's Damask, blush at their defeat. 
 
 XLII 
 
 those lashes, which might kings subdue, 
 Hnd in those wellsprings of celestial hue, 
 
 My soul shall bathe, as in the atmosphere 
 Of Capri's grotto of aerial blue.
 
 XLIII 
 
 Beloved, full of witching grace, 
 Beside me on this bank, pray take thy place; 
 
 T^hus quenching myriad flames of fond desire, 
 Clnvcil for me, my love, thy radiant face. 
 
 XLIV 
 
 'OC gaze on thce, impossible command. 
 Hs well this brimming cup of wine might stand 
 
 Inverted in the air, and yet as full, 
 Hs when I tooh it from your lily hand. 
 
 XLV 
 
 gaze on thee, as Garth can not but gaze 
 Upon the full Moon's pure resplendent rays, 
 
 JMan must look up to lowly womanhood, 
 Hnd looking upward, nobler deeds essays. 
 
 -
 
 XLVI 
 
 5C all this loveliness must disappear. 
 Che Crimson Roses of the yester-year 
 
 Rave vanished. Co their memory I drink, 
 Hnd in the wine-cup drop a bitter tear. 
 
 XLVII 
 
 R6 tears of Isis, in jVile's mighty flood, 
 Bewail Osiris dead. Che Lotus-bud, 
 
 Hfloat in tears, exhales its fragrance where 
 Che asp drew star-eyed Cleopatra's blood. 
 
 XLVIII 
 
 '6HIN8C thy bosom's snow, a rich breast knot 
 Of Crimson Roses burns; yet well I wot 
 
 Chat when in ashes, from them there shall spring 
 Chat lovely flower, the forget-me-not.
 
 XLIX 
 
 H 
 
 Beloved: "Co the Cup that cheers 
 Che thirsty soul." ]Vo skeleton appears, 
 
 In grim Egyptian fashion, warning us, 
 "Chat these bright drops may typify our tears. 
 
 >OMG, pledge me Love: and let the draught be deep, 
 "Che Night for Music, and the Day for Sleep." 
 
 Comorrow? Nay, that "leads to dusty death." 
 Chen Laugh tonight, tomorrow we must 
 
 LI 
 
 V Baalbcc's giant ruins, high in air, 
 Some extinct tyrant's cartouche sculptured there, 
 
 f)is occult-graven name obliterate, 
 X saw a Raven perch and gravely stare.
 
 |V Baalbec's giant ruins, high in air, 
 Some extinct tyrant's cartouche sculptured there, 
 
 f)is occult-graven name obliterate, 
 X saw a Raven perch and gravely stare.
 
 XLIX 
 
 f>6HLCfi Beloved: "Co the Cup that cheers 
 Che thirsty soul/' No skeleton appears, 
 
 In grim Ggyptun fashion, warning us, 
 Chat these bright dtrope may typify our tears. 
 
 ,emin 
 
 
 for 
 .st* 
 
 Chen JLau0h tonight, tomorrow we must Oleep. 
 
 ".:; . 
 
 
 LI 
 
 JS Baalbec*o giant ruins, high in air, 
 Some extinct tyrant's cartouche sculptured there, 
 
 Ris occult-graven name obliterate, 
 I saw a Raven perch and gravely stare. 

 
 LII 
 
 r f)6N to that sorry effigies he cried, 
 "Cdhere is thy panoply of war? Cdhere bide 
 
 "Chy glorious triumphs, where the trumpet's blare 
 CHhicb bruited far thy vaunted pomp and pride ?" 
 
 LIII 
 
 f f)6 winds have scattered o'er our Mother's breast, 
 Che dust of dear ones, whom we cherished best. 
 
 Cbcy lived and loved ; then flinging fond farewells, 
 Chey vanished at grim Hzrael's behest. 
 
 LIV 
 
 f R6HD lightly on that sacred dust; for oh, 
 Lithe forms of loveliness again may grow 
 
 fVom this pale powder of the loved and lost, 
 prom it, bright blossoms yet may bud and blow-
 
 LV 
 
 of it, rich and rare, 
 In beauty born, shall breathe the upper air, 
 "Co charm the Sybarites who follow us. 
 "Chen hiss the Dust: it was and shall be fair. 
 
 LVI 
 
 FfilS 3ar was once, lihc me, a creature filled 
 3Qith love and sorrow, ere grim Death had chilled 
 "Co potter's Clay the heart, which at the touch 
 Of some fair girl's long tresses, fondly thrilled. 
 
 LVII 
 
 "CS graceful, curving handle, which you hold, 
 5Qas once a loving arm, which might enfold 
 
 Some fair one's necfc, to linger as she blushed 
 "Co hear "Che sweetest story ever told."
 
 LVIII 
 
 B dance our figure as the Tina rings 
 par in the night; but when the vibrant strings, 
 
 Coo high-keyed, snap, My Love, a long Good Night. 
 Death's dark Simoom sweeps by on rushing wings. 
 
 LIX 
 
 'Re born, we breathe, we suffer and we die;" 
 Hnd eagerly to hnow the reason why, 
 Che finite to the Infinite appeals. 
 Cbt gulfs impassable; there is no reply. 
 
 H 
 
 LX 
 
 DCXZIN the Valley of the Shadow, pale 
 Hnd cold, Garth's pilgrims pass, to lift the veil, 
 
 Co learn the mystery beyond; but none 
 Return again, to tell their wondrous tale.
 
 LXI 
 
 , foolish Devotee, thy futile prayer. 
 Make thy heart humble; leave all to the care 
 Of Rim who sways thy destiny; and thou 
 things supernal, shalt receive thy share. 
 
 LXII 
 
 8 we know nothing, how can we explain; 
 Hdd naught to nothing, how much is the gain? 
 
 <He came from nothing, and to it return; 
 Cahe naught from nothing, what will then remain? 
 
 P. 
 
 LXIII 
 
 R ages, myths have been esteemed as true. 
 Ggyptian, Parsce, countless others too, 
 Believed successive creeds that died. 
 H pleasing falsehood, whether old or new 
 
 love
 
 77T6 dance our figure as the Vina rings 
 
 far in the night; but when the vibrant strings, 
 
 Coo high-keyed, snap, jviy Hove, a long Good Night. 
 Death's darh Simoom sweeps by on rushing wings. 
 

 
 LXI 
 
 'GHSe, foolish Devotee, thy futile prayer. 
 Make thy heart humble: leave all to the care 
 
 Of f>im who t- v dearinr and thou 
 
 Of things (wptntti* -*halt reeeiw thy snare. 
 
 
 V s ? 
 
 TT 
 
 
 a 
 
 IIIVJ 
 
 LXII 
 
 tuo 
 
 nl 
 
 TO 
 
 m nothing, what will then remain? 
 
 
 
 
 LXII1 
 
 R ages, myth* hawt been esteemed as true, 
 [ypttan, parsee, countless others too, 
 Believed successive creeds that died. <flc love 
 H pleasing fatothood, whether old or new.
 
 LXIV 
 
 f 
 
 not into the great Creator's face, 
 Cbou fool, canst tbou invent a better place 
 
 Chan Bis grand masterpiece, this world, enriched 
 ftlith myriad glories, by Bis own free grace? 
 
 LXV 
 
 not at things afar, too many slips 
 "Cberc are betwixt the Sdinc-cup and the lips. 
 
 Despising life, and seeking fancied bliss, 
 full many a mortal on HI Sirat trips. 
 
 LXVI 
 
 O rosy fingers, beckoning from shies, 
 No Bouris, bending down from paradise, 
 
 Shall steep my soul in glamour; but as naught 
 "Che lure of languor in their lustrous eyes.
 
 LXVII 
 
 SCORM mirages. JHo faint ghostly form 
 Can rouse in me the wildly surging storm 
 
 Of love; for with my head upon your breast, 
 I feel there e\*ry heartbeat, high and warm. 
 
 *v f^~^ 
 
 LXVIII 
 
 t: Imams glib, and prating Mollahs tell 
 Of future joys of ficaVn, and pains of ficll. 
 
 Be neither bribed nor frightened by such tales; 
 But smile, and ash them how they hnow so well. 
 
 LXIX 
 
 rf)G Good is hnown by contrast with the Bad. 
 3dere Grief unknown, no true heart could be glad: 
 
 tet ficav'n, 'tis said, is one unchanging loy. 
 Such flat monotony would driw souls mad.
 
 the Valley of the Shadow, pale 
 Hnd cold, Garth's pilgrims pass, to lift the veil, 
 
 Co learn the mystery beyond; but none 
 Return again, to tell their wondrous tale.
 
 
 LXVII 
 
 I 
 
 SCORN mirages. No faint ghostly form 
 Can rouse in me the wildly surging storm 
 
 Of love; for with my head upon your breast, 
 I feel there every heartbeat, high and warm. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 LXVIII 
 
 LnH 
 anT^nfi*^^ f*^^**^" 'T--T 
 
 Be nctthcT'**We?NftSf "W^M^nc^ 'R^SucnraUs; 
 But smile, and aek them how they know so well. 
 
 IX 
 
 Good is known by contrast with the Bad. 
 <Ocre Grief unknown, no true heart could be glad: 
 
 ^et fieav'n, 'tis said, is one unchanging loy. 
 Such flat monotony would drive souls mad. 
 
 

 
 f 
 
 LXX 
 
 'OR every human passion, hope and fear, 
 Hffection's smile, and tender pity's tear, 
 
 Stlith every attribute which makes life sweet, 
 Is blotted out in that celestial sphere. 
 
 LXXI 
 
 fieax^n, all radiant with supernal light, 
 Chose fiell-fires glowing thro' eternal night, 
 
 Hre simply flimsy " ignes fattii," 
 Slhich Reason's dawn has driven into flight. 
 
 LXXII 
 
 C ficll and fieaven on this earth abide. 
 Both must be tasted, or none could decide 
 
 Slhich either were. Chen quite contented rest, 
 Without some Sorrow, loy would be denied.
 
 LXXIII 
 
 angry storms o'ercast our smiling shies, 
 Hnd dim the twin-stars of your sapphire eyes 
 
 CClith rainy tears, O then indeed would I 
 H sense of earthly torment realize. 
 
 LXX1V 
 
 B 
 
 CIC ah, the glimpse of Reav'n, when lucent spears 
 Shoot thro' the storm-cloud, as it disappears; 
 
 Hnd sparkling rays, from out thy clearing orbs, 
 Mahc softly tinted rainbows in thy tears. 
 
 LXXV 
 
 SD Coo-Coo-Coo, soft flutes the turtle-dove, 
 In murmurous music, from the boughs above 
 Our greenery; and with her Coo-Coo-Coo t 
 She tells her innocent and trusting love.
 
 LXXVI 
 
 8 when from Yemen's gulf, the sailor clears, 
 Co reach the 8ea of Oman, boldly steers 
 Hmid the perils of that rocfcy strait, 
 Cdhich Hrab seamen call "Che Gate of Cears," 
 
 LXXVII 
 
 16'LL trust our bark upon the ocean vast 
 Of 6od's eternity, nor dread the blast 
 
 Of wrath Divine, to wrech the vessel frail, 
 Cdhcn thro' life's narrow channel it has passed. 
 
 LXXVIH 
 
 faith's anchor, in distress we'd drift 
 Upon life's lee shore, to destruction swift: 
 
 But what were anchors, without holding-ground, 
 Che solid ground of fact, not sands that shift.
 
 LXXIX 
 
 HLLHfi, thus I offer ^hce my prayer: 
 Make my heart easy in this world of care, 
 Conceal from humankind my evil deeds, 
 Hnd make my earthly burden light to bear.
 
 
 
 'f doubts assail thee, with thy weak hand grip 
 Chine Hlkoran; and let the stronger clip 
 
 dithin its clutch, the dim-cup's slender stem. 
 Xn ^aith or Clnfaith, thou canst read, or sip.
 
 LXXIX 
 
 15 HLLHfi, thus I offer Cbce my prayer: 
 Mahe my heart easy Cn this world of care, 
 Conceal frcm humankind my evil deeds, 
 Hnd mafcc my earthly burden light to bear. 
 
 
 VXXXJ 
 
 LXXX 
 
 for saving this wine-sodden jar of clay 
 
 I, XXXI 
 
 Origin and wisely placed 
 
 Beyond all human hen, 'twere idle TT 
 
 Of time to guess Olhcncc Came, or (Hhithcr Gone. 
 Ht both ends is th J path effaced. 

 
 LXXXII 
 
 RGHD is not made from wheat that's yet to grow; 
 Nor from that hid in Pharaoh's tomb below. 
 
 Che garnered grain alone is food. Chen use 
 Che present, let the past and future go. 
 
 LXXXIII 
 
 FF)G grave philosophers, who seek to teach, 
 Hnd wild enthusiasts, who fain would preach 
 Of 6od's mysterious purpose, hnow it all. 
 Did not to fieav'n, the Cower of Babel reach? 
 
 LXXXIV 
 
 ISD yet it may be there is still a doubt. 
 Mayhap the thousand jarring sects which shout 
 
 Chat each one's is the undiluted Cruth, 
 Hre fooled in what each seems too sure about. 
 
 MO 
 
 -,
 
 LXXXV 
 
 doubts assail thce, with thy wcah hand grip 
 "Chine Hlhoran; and let the stronger clip 
 
 Cdithin its clutch, the <Hinc-cup's slender stem. 
 In faith or dnfaith, thou canst read, or sip. 
 
 LXXXVI 
 
 CHN not live without the ruby wine. 
 Vitality itself conies from the Tine. 
 
 Without its tonic, I could never bear 
 My heavy load on earth; nor aid with thine. 
 
 B 
 
 LXXXVII 
 
 1C still impends the irony of fate. 
 My desert-thirst I'm doomed to satiate 
 
 In some fair hour alas; and can not drain 
 Chat "one more cup" that's offered me too late.
 
 LXXXVIII 
 
 mourn thy sins, O Mfrza, why such grief? 
 plague thyself affords thce no relief. 
 Chen cease thy mourning; for thou hast no time, 
 Chis life, for joy alone, is all too brief. 
 
 LXXXIX 
 
 thou not sinned, couldst ewr hope to hnow 
 "Che gentle quality of mercy? Lo, 
 
 for sin was mercy made. Cdouldst thou defeat 
 Its hindly purpose, while it ycamcth so? 
 
 xc 
 
 FfiH"C orient pearl, Obedience, so rare, 
 I haw not pierced; nor from the unused stair 
 
 dp to the throne, haw humbly swept the dust, 
 <Qhich undisturbed by me, lies thichly there.
 
 XCI 
 
 at my utmost need, I'll not despair 
 Of reaching that celestial Divan, where 
 
 Presidctb ]Mmy; for I never haw 
 Been too importunate with it in prayer. 
 
 XCII 
 
 ^OCIR Sapphire, with its coruscating ray, 
 Che tfar, which cools our wine this summer day, 
 
 Che Hookah's creamy bowl, and <He who smoke, 
 HU boast no higher origin than clay.
 
 'T"'f>e slender, porous jar which cools our wine, 
 Olas shapeless, useless clay, until Design 
 
 Co all unconscious it, gave graceful form, 
 Hs Chou wcrt modeled by a pow'r Divine.
 
 XCI 
 
 at my utmost need, I'll not despair 
 Of reaching that celestial Divan, where 
 
 prcsideth Mercy? for I never haw 
 Been too importunate with it in prayer* 
 
 Sapphire, with its coruscating ray, 
 Che lar, which coole our wine this summer day, 
 
 Che Roohah's crcamj? bowl, and SHe who smoke, 
 HU boast no higher origin than clay. 
 

 
 XCIII 
 
 WXC sparkling gem, which faintly typifies 
 Che tender love-light in thy deep blue eyes, 
 las only clay. Sdhcn, lo, the Hlchemist, 
 In cosmic fires, bade it crystallize. 
 
 xciv 
 
 r>HC clay, once fabled as the sea-foam blown 
 from raging billows, and then turned to stone, 
 
 Is sculptured for a smoking censer sweet, 
 from chaos, thus has use and beauty grown. 
 
 xcv 
 
 f f)6 slender, porous jar which cools our wine, 
 Cdas shapeless, useless clay, until Design 
 
 Co all unconscious it, gave graceful form, 
 Hs Cbou wcrt modeled by a powV Divine.
 
 XCVI 
 
 Cbou, the ideal of a sculptor's dream, 
 ftlhose peerless beauty is the poet's theme, 
 
 CQast made a living image from that clay, 
 "Che triumph of an Hrtist most supreme. 
 
 B 
 
 -. 
 
 XCVII 
 
 neither em, nor 3ar, nor Pipe, nor "Cbou, 
 know F)is reasons; for the CClhy and Row 
 HU things were made, remains inscrutable. 
 Can F)e, to Clay, those purposes avow?
 
 - - 
 
 cup to fruitful Bother arth, which gave 
 Che Grape, I pour upon the dusty grave 
 
 Of him who dranh ; who, if his spirit live, 
 jviust still the flavor of the grape-juice crave. 
 

 
 
 XCVI 
 
 "6JNf T3hou, the ideal of a sculptor's dream# 
 Ctthose peerless beauty is the poet's theme, 
 
 CBast made a living image from that clay, 
 "Che triumph of an Hrtist most supreme. 
 
 
 Can F>e, to C-U^ those purposes avow?
 
 xcvm 
 
 F), true my love, it were but tempting fate, 
 Co waste these rosy hours in dull debate. 
 
 Co wet my too-dry philosophic clay, 
 Che flagon-bearer and the Ctline-cup wait. 
 
 xcix 
 
 not balh the generous design, 
 Hpparent in the purple-clustered Tine; 
 
 But brighten up a spirit dull, with all 
 Che garnered sunshine in this sparkling wine. 
 
 r f)6 tender breathings of sweet vernal days, 
 Che glow of summer, autumn's golden haze, 
 
 Che laugh of maidens and the Vintage-song, 
 Hll mingle in the brimming cup I raise.
 
 CI 
 
 pledge "Che 6ood, the Beautiful, the Crue," 
 Cby fieart, thy Coral Lips, thine 6yes of Blue, 
 
 CCbich rest on me in tenderness the while 
 I drain the Cup. My Low, I drinh to you. 
 
 H 
 
 CII 
 
 SO being thirsty from long abstinence, 
 I drinh once more "Confusion to pretense," 
 
 Hnd call on all good fellows to unite 
 In this, my heartiest of sentiments. 
 
 CHI 
 
 [NO since I've toasted both my Love and Rate, 
 Hnd still am sore athirst, 'tis not too late 
 
 Co drinh one glorious bumper to the <8ine, 
 <ahicb thus can eulogize and reprobate.
 
 CIV 
 
 cup to fruitful Mother Garth, which gave 
 Che Grape, I pour upon the dusty grave 
 
 Of him who drank; who, if his spirit live, 
 Must still the flavor of the grape-juice crave. 
 
 |M 
 
 cv 
 
 G"CF)INKS, amid our garden's deepened gloom, 
 Night's Spirit strays, to steal the soft perfume 
 
 Chose Beauties breathe in his seraglio; 
 Hnd fondly revel in their luscious bloom. 
 
 cvi 
 
 r f)G Rosebud's swelling charms uplift the fold 
 Of her green cymar. Now her heart of gold 
 
 Is opened to the Nightingale, her lord; 
 Hnd thrillingly his talc of love is told.
 
 CVII 
 
 ;R now the bulbuU hidden from our sight, 
 Dours forth ecstatic song. Cdith fond delight, 
 
 I feel the tender starlight of thine eyes. 
 O Low: O JMusic: O transcendent Night. 
 
 CVIII 
 
 FfiG warblings of the brown-bird, half adream, 
 Like echoes from the gurgling flagon seem, 
 
 Hs lovingly it leans to fill for us, 
 Our crystal goblets with the ruby's gleam. 
 
 CIX 
 
 D thy sweet singing, touch the Tina's strings, 
 Hnd as the liquid music 'round us rings, 
 
 Sde float away to Lotus-land, upborne 
 On Xsrafil's harmonic-waving wings. 
 
 f '
 
 each wrathful "revelation" made 
 On Mountain-top, where vivid lightnings played, 
 
 <Oas but some starving hermifs frenzied dream, 
 transcribed before the phantasy could fade.
 
 
 
 now the bulbul, hidden from our sight, 
 pours forth ecstatic song. (Hitb fond delight, 
 
 I feel the tender starlight of thine eyes. 
 O Love: O Music: O transcendent Night. 
 
 
 vixo 
 
 CVIII 
 
 rtorteiwst " Jutftoiw dwss 
 
 Hs 
 Our crystal goblets with the ruby's gleam. 
 
 
 cix 
 
 FO thy sweet singing, touch the Tina's strings, 
 Hnd as the liquid music 'round us rings, 
 
 CUc float away to Lotus-land, upborne 
 On Israfil's harmonic-waving wings. 
 
 

 
 B 
 
 ex 
 
 d"C stern anxieties their vigils hecp, 
 ^Throughout the darkened hours, when raptures steep 
 
 Our souls in sweetness; and dull Day renews 
 "Che fancies gendered in the Prophet's sleep. 
 
 CXI 
 
 ;R while we lagged, "Cruth left us in the lurch. 
 )isheartcned, we again take up the search, 
 
 Hnd seek in vain thro' all the sacred tomes, 
 By which each nation vindicates its church.
 
 CXII 
 
 'HCfi race believes its Koran to be true, 
 fiindu, Ggyptian, Roman, Curh and 3cw, 
 
 Sdith equal truth and vigor will maintain 
 Chat Reav'n vouchsafed to each the only clue. 
 
 CXIII 
 
 eLI6ION-MHKeR8 of all times have taught 
 By pious impositions. CQhat they wrought 
 
 Hs miracles, were only specious trichs; 
 Hnd each, with all his frauds, has come to naught* 
 
 
 cxiv 
 
 each wrathful "revelation'' made 
 On Mountain-top, where vivid lightnings played, 
 
 <Qas but some starving hermit's frenzied dream, 
 "Cranscribcd before the Phantasy could fade. 

 
 F)GN wen with speculation in their eyes, 
 Some later revelations would devise, 
 
 'Co make it easier for them to tread 
 "Che thorny path laid out to Paradise. 
 
 rjSD so the weary catalogue proceeds, 
 fantastic theories and clashing creeds 
 
 Hre still invented for the credulous. 
 On -fraud the giant Superstition feeds. 
 
 cxvn 
 
 cunning Hugurs, middle-men of fate, 
 to themselves alone would arrogate 
 "Che powV to read a thunderstorm aright, 
 Hnd Nature's language to the folk translate,
 
 CXVIII 
 
 k HV6 their successors. Should a lightning stroke 
 7ust miss a man-tnadc mosque, a God-made oak 
 'Co rend; they prate of "Special providence "; 
 Hnd lo, in wonder gape the common folk. 
 
 . 
 
 CXIX 
 
 3JV purblind in this dim religious light, 
 Still gropes on thro' those visions of a night 
 Cdhile yet, the only Revelation ever made, 
 "Che Book of Nature, opens in his sight. 
 
 cxx 
 
 rF)IS is no tome in antiquated phrase, 
 Che garbled history of ancient days, 
 
 CQhcn pseudo-prophets led the blinded hosts, 
 through crooked paths, in error's darkened ways.
 
 CXXIV 
 
 by the path thy careless feet have trod, 
 Sweet violets in humble beauty nod. 
 
 Do they teach nothing? lUarn the lovely truth, 
 "Hnd look through Mature, up to Nature's God."
 
 
 CXVIII 
 
 
 f> 
 
 1HV6 their successors. Should a lightning strobe 
 7ust miss a man-made mosque, a God-made oak 
 Co rend; they prate of "Special providence "j 
 Hnd lo, in wonder gape the common folk. 
 
 VIXXO 
 
 M 
 
 bort 
 
 purblind in frfo* 
 ,d turt 
 
 *& e'^^ ct qu 
 
 Che Book of Nature , 
 
 cxx 
 
 is no tome in antia/ftftd phrase, 
 Che garbled history c* * nt days, 
 
 Qlhcn pseudo-pro x' ed the blinded hosts, 
 Chrough crooked p <tfr m error's darkened ways.
 
 CXXI 
 
 O volume this of human origin, 
 Replete with threats of punishment for sin, 
 
 Hnd scant reward for virtue ; but the ftlord 
 Of God, pure, undefiled and genuine. 
 
 cxxn 
 
 HCfi opening year, a grand edition new, 
 Cttitb lovely illustrations, meets our view, 
 
 <Hith no " errata " in a supplement* 
 No false is there entangled with the Crue. 
 
 cxxm 
 
 that booh. Cast all Korans aside. 
 Hbate thy foolish overweening pride, 
 
 Learn thou the alphabet of God therein, 
 Hnd then thy knowledge shall be multiplied.
 
 CXXIV 
 
 by the path thy careless feet have trod, 
 Sweet violets in humble beauty nod. 
 
 Do they teach nothing? Learn the lovely truth, 
 "Hnd look through Nature, up to Nature's God." 
 
 cxxv 
 
 humble student who expounds the laws 
 Of Nature, rather than a musty clause 
 
 In some Hpocrypha, uplifts mankind 
 far higher, nearer, to the Great first Cause. 
 
 cxxvi 
 
 H 
 
 CdORJVI may apprehend Omnipotence, 
 But Man can comprehend it in no sense; 
 
 Nor grasp the deep intense significance 
 Of what it means to rule the elements.
 
 CXXVII 
 
 D 
 
 thy premises before dispute. 
 Sharp definition is the ripest fruit 
 
 Of knowledge. Canst thou Deity define? 
 "Chen let thy sacrilegious tongue be mute* 
 
 CXXVIII 
 
 F>e Chrone, which he should humbly venerate, 
 Row impious in man to desecrate; 
 
 Not by up-climbing, but by dragging down 
 "Che Majesty beyond his estimate. 
 
 cxxix 
 
 f)HC fools these mortals be." Since time began, 
 Persisting in their self-conceited plan, 
 
 Incapable of being god-like men, 
 Must have their God on level with the man.
 
 cxxx 
 
 CdH^ then with these man-invented lies, 
 pour out the wine, the prophet's law denies 
 
 Onto the faithful. H libation pour 
 Upon the altar where we sacrifice 
 
 -- 
 
 CXXXI 
 
 that Infinitude, to expiate 
 Our arrogance; and mcehly, humbly wait 
 
 Bis own solution of the mystery, 
 Slhich finite mind can never penetrate. 
 
 amam 
 
 c