Merelytobringyouhome,madehalfofmyhappinesscertainButyounowmakeitcomplete!Mayeveryblessingbeyours,then!
Thenthemaidenlook’dontheyouthwithheartfeltemotion,Andavoidednotkissorembrace,thesummitofrapture,Whentheyalsoaretothelovingthelong-wish’d-forpledgesOfapproachingblissinalifewhichnowseemstothemendless。
Thenthepastortoldtheothersthewholeofthestory。
Butthemaidencameandgracefullybento’erthefather,Kissingthewhilehishand,whichhetodrawbackattempted。
Andshesaid:——Iamsurethatyouwillforgivethesurprisedone,Firstforhertearsofsorrow,andthenforhertearsoftruerapture。
Oforgivetheemotionsbywhichtheybothhavebeenprompted,Andletmefullyenjoytheblissthathasnowbeenvouchsafedme!
Letthefirstvexation,whichmyconfusiongaveriseto,Alsobethelast!ThelovingservicewhichlatelyWasbytheservantpromised,shallnowbythedaughterberender’d。
Andthefather,histearsconcealing,straightwayembracedher。
Lovinglycamethemotherinturn,andheartilykiss’dher,Warmlyshakingherhand。andsilentlywepttheytogether。
Theninahastymanner,thegoodandsensiblepastorSeizedthehandofthefather,hiswedding-ringofffromhisfingerDrawingnoteasilythough。soplumpwasthememberthatheldit
Thenhetookthemother’sring,andbetroth’dthetwochildren,Saying:——Oncemoremayitbethesegoldenhoops’destinationFirmlytofastenabondaltogetherresemblingtheoldone!
Forthisyouthisdeeplyimbuedwithloveforthemaiden,Andthemaidenconfessesthatshefortheyouthhasaliking。
Therefore,Inowbetrothyou,andwishyouallblessingshereafter,Withtheparents’consent,andwithourfriendhereasawitness。
Andtheneighbourbentforward,andaddedhisownbenediction。
Butwhentheclergymanplacedthegoldringonthehandofthemaiden,Hewithastonishmentsawtheonewhichalreadywasonit,AndwhichHermannbeforeatthefountainhadanxiouslynoticed。
WhereuponhespokeinwordsatoncefriendlyandjestingWhat!Youaretwiceengagingyourself?IhopethatthefirstoneMaynotappearatthealtar,unkindlyforbiddingthebannsthere!
Butshesaidinreply:——OletmedevotebutonemomentTothismournfulremembrance!Forwelldidthegoodyouthdeserveit,Who,whendeparting,presentedthering,butneverreturn’dhome。
Allwasbyhimforeseen,whenfreedom’sloveofasudden,Andadesiretoplayhispartinthenew-foundExistence,DrovehimtogotoParis,whereprisonanddeathwerehisportion。
’Farewell,’saidhe,’Igo。forallthingsonearthareinmotionAtthismoment,andallthingsappearinastateofdisunion。
Fundamentallawsinthesteadiestcountriesareloosen’d,Andpossessionsarepartedfromthosewhousedtopossessthem,Friendsarepartedfromfriends,andloveispartedfromlovetoo。
Inowleaveyouhere,andwhetherIevershallseeyouHereagain,——whocantell?Perchancethesewordswillourlastbe。
Manisastrangerhereuponearth,theproverbinformsus。
Everypersonhasnowbecomemoreastrangerthanever。
Oursthesoilisnolonger。ourtreasuresarefastflyingfromus。
Allthesacredoldvesselsofgoldandsilveraremelted,Allismoving,asthoughtheold-fashion’dworldwouldrollbackwardsIntochaosandnight,inorderanewtobefashion’d。
Youofmyhearthavepossession,andifweshalleverhere-afterMeetagainoverthewreckoftheworld,itwillbeasnewcreatures,Allremodell’dandfreeandindependentoffortune。
Forwhatfetterscanbinddownthosewhosurvivesuchaperiod!
Butifwearedestinednottoescapefromthesedangers,IfweareneveragaintoembraceeachotherwithrapturesOthenfondlykeepinyourthoughtsmyhoveringimage,Thatyoumaybepreparedwithlikecourageforgoodandillfortune!
Ifanewhomeoranewallianceshouldchancetoallureyou,Thenenjoywiththankswhateveryourdestinyoffers,Purelylovingtheloving,andgratefultohimwhothuslovesyou。
Butrememberalwaystotreadwithacircumspectfootstep,Forthefreshpangsofasecondlosswillbehindyoubelurking。
Deemeachdayassacred。butvaluenotlifeanyhigherThananyotherpossession,forallpossessionsarefleeting。’
Thushespoke。andthenobleyouthandIpartedforever:
MeanwhileIev’rythinglost,andathousandtimesthoughtofhiswarning。
OncemoreIthinkofhiswords,nowthatloveissweetlypreparingHappinessformeanew,andthebrightestofhopesisunfolding。
Pardonme,dearestfriend,fortremblinge’enatthemomentWhenIamclaspingyourarm!Forthus,onfirstlanding,thesailorFanciesthateventhesolidgroundisshakingbeneathhim。
Thusshespoke,andsheplacedtheringsbythesideofeachother。
Butthebridegroomanswer’d,withnobleandmanlyemotionAllthefirmer,amidsttheuniversaldisruption,Be,Dorothea,ourunion!We’llshowourselvesboldandenduring,Firmlyholdourown,andfirmlyretainourpossessions。
Forthemanwhoinwav’ringtimesisinclinedtobewav’ringOnlyincreasestheevil,andspreadsitwiderandwider。
Butthemanoffirmdecisiontheuniversefashions。
’TisnotbecomingtheGermanstofurtherthisfearfulcommotion,Andinadditiontowaveruncertainlyhitherandthither。
’Thisisourown!’weoughttosay,andsotomaintainit!
FortheworldwilleverapplaudthoseresolutenationsWhoforGodandtheLaw,theirwives,andparents,andchildrenStruggle,andfallwhencontendingagainstthefoemantogether。
Youaremine。andnowwhatismine,isminemorethanever。
NotwithanxietywillIpreserveit,ortimidlyuseit,Butwithcourageandstrength。AndiftheenemythreatenNoworhereafter,I’llholdmyselfready,andreachdownmyweapons。
IfIknowthatthehouseandmyparentsbyyouareprotected,Ishallexposemybreasttotheenemy,voidofallterror。
Andifallothersthoughtthus,thenmightagainstmightshouldbemeasured,Andintheearlyprospectofpeaceweshouldallberejoicing。
1796?——
WEST-EASTERNDIVAN——
Whothesongwouldunderstand,Needsmustseekthesong’sownland。
Whotheminstrelunderstand,Needsmustseektheminstrel’sland——
THEPoemscomprisedinthiscollectionarewritteninthePersianstyle,andaregreatlyadmiredbyOrientalscholars,forthetruthfulnesswithwhichtheEasternspiritofpoetryisreproducedbytheWesternminstrel。Theywerechieflycomposedbetweentheyears1814and1819,andfirstgiventotheworldinthelatteryear。Ofthetwelvebooksintowhichtheyaredivided,thatofSuleikawillprobablybeconsideredthebest,fromthemanygracefullove-songswhichitcontains。ThefollowingisHanoi’saccountoftheDivan,andmaywellserveasasubstituteforanythingIcouldsayrespectingit:——
ItcontainsopinionsandsentimentsontheEast,expressedinaseriesofrichcantosandstanzasfullofsweetnessandspirit,andallthisasenchantingasaharememittingthemostdeliciousandrareperfumes,andbloomingwithexquisitely-lovelynymphswitheyebrowspaintedblack,eyespiercingasthoseoftheantelope,armswhiteasalabaster,andofthemostgracefulandperfectly-formedshapes,whiletheheartofthereaderbeatsandgrowsfaint,asdidthatofthehappyGaspardDebaran,theclown,who,whenonthehigheststepofhisladder,wasenabledtopeepintotheSeraglioofConstantinople——thatrecessconcealedfromtheinspectionofman。SometimesalsothereadermayimaginehimselfindolentlystretchedonacarpetofPersiansoftness,luxuriouslysmokingtheyellowtobaccoofTurkistanthroughalongtubeofjessamineandamber,whileablackslavefanshimwithafanofpeacock’sfeathers,andalittleboypresentshimwithacupofgenuineMocha。Goethehasputtheseenchantingandvoluptuouscustomsintopoetry,andhisversesaresoperfect,soharmonious,sotasteful,sosoft,thatitseemsreallysurprisingthatheshouldeverhavebeenabletohavebroughttheGermanlanguagetothisstateofsuppleness。Thecharmofthebookisinexplicable。itisavotivenosegaysentfromtheWesttotheEast,composedofthemostpreciousandcuriousplants:redroses,hortensiaslikethebreastofaspotlessmaiden,purpledigitalislikethelongfingerofaman,fantasticallyformedranunculi,andinthemidstofall,silentandtastefullyconcealed,atuftofGermanviolets。ThisnosegaysignifiesthattheWestistiredofthinandicy-coldspirituality,andseekswarmthinthestrongandhealthybosomoftheEast。
TranslationsareheregivenofupwardsofsixtyofthebestPoemsembracedintheDivan,thenumberintheoriginalexceedingtwohundred——
I。MORGAGNINAME。
BOOKOFTHEMINSTREL。
TALISMANS。
GODisoftheeastpossess’d,Godisrulerofthewest。
Northandsouthalike,eachlandRestswithinHisgentlehand——
HE,theonlyrighteousone,Willsthatrighttoeachbedone。
’MongstHishundredtitles,then,Highestpraisedbethis!——Amen——
ERRORseekethtodeceiveme,Thouartabletoretrieveme。
BothinactionandinsongKeepmycoursefromgoingwrong。
1819。*——
THEFOURFAVOURS。
THATArabsthroughtherealmsofspaceMaywanderon,light-hearted,GreatAllahhath,toalltheirrace,Fourfavoursmeetimparted。
Theturbanfirst——thatornamentAllregalcrownsexcelling。
Alightandever-shiftingtent,Whereintomakeourdwelling。
Asword,which,morethanrocksandwallsDothshieldus,brightlyglistening。
Asongthatprofitsandenthrall,Forwhichthemaidsarelist’ning!
1814——
DISCORD。
WHENbythebrookhisstrainCupidisfluting,AndontheneighboringplainMayorsdisputing,Thereturnstheearerelong,Lovingandtender,YettothenoiseasongSoonmustsurrender。
Loudthentheflute-notesgladSound’midwar’sthunder。
IfIgrowravingmad,Isitawonder?
Flutessingandtrumpetsbray,Waxingyetstronger。
If,then,mysensesstray,Wondernolonger。
1814——
SONGANDSTRUCTURE。
LETtheGreekhisplasticclayMouldinhumanfashion,WhilehisowncreationmayWakehisglowingpassion。
ButitisourjoytocourtGreatEuphrates’torrent,HereandthereatwilltosportIntheWat’rycurrent。
Quench’dIthusmyspirit’sflame,Songshadsoonresounded。
WaterdrawnbybardswhosefamePureis,mayberounded。
1819。*
Thisorientalbeliefinthepowerofthepuretoroll-upwaterintoacrystalhailismadethefoundationoftheInterestingPariahLegend,thatwillbefoundelsewhereamongsttheBallads。——
II。HAFISNAME。
BOOKOFHAFIS。
SPIRITletusbridegroomcall,Andthewordthebride。
KnownthisweddingistoallWhohaveHafistried。
THEUNLIMITED。
THATthoucan’tneverend,dothmaketheegreat,Andthatthoune’erbeginnest,isthyfate。
Thysongischangefulasyonstarryframe,Endandbeginningevermorethesame。
Andwhatthemiddlebringeth,butcontainsWhatwasatfirst,andwhatatlastremains。
Thouartofjoythetrueandminstrel-source,Fromtheepourswaveonwavewithceaselessforce。
Amouththat’sayepreparedtokiss,Abreastwhenceflowsalovingsong,Athroatthatfindsnodraughtamiss,Anopenheartthatknowsnowrong。
Andwhatthoughalltheworldshouldsink!
Hafis,withthee,alonewiththeeWillIcontend!joy,misery,Theportionofustwainshallbe。
Liketheetolove,liketheetodrink,——
Thisbemypride,——this,lifetome!
Now,Song,withthineownfirebesung,——
Forthouartolder,thoumoreyoung!
1817。*——
TOHAFIS。
HAFIS,straighttoequalthee,Onewouldstriveinvain。
ThoughashipwithmajestyCleavesthefoamingmain,FeelsitssailsswellhaughtilyAsitonwardhiesCrush’dbyocean’ssterndecree,Wreckeditstraightwaylies。
Tow’rdthee,songs,light,graceful,free,Mountwithcoolinggush。
Thentheirglowconsumethme,Aslikefiretheyrush。
YetathoughtwithecstasyHathmycouragemoved。
InthelandofmelodyIhavelivedandloved。
1815——
III。USCHKNAME。
BOOKOFLOVE。
THETYPES。
LIST,andinmemorybearThesesixfondlovingpair。
Love,whenaroused,kepttrueRustanandRad!
StrangersapproachfromfarJosephandSuleika。
Love,voidofhope,isinFerhadandSchirin。
BornforeachotherareMedschnunandLily。
Loving,thougholdandgrey,DschemilsawBoteinah。
Love’ssweetcapriceanon,BrownmaidandSolomon!
Ifthoudostmarkthemwell,Strongerthylovewillswell。
1817。*
BrownmaidistheQueenofSheba。——
ONEPAIRMORE。
LOVEisindeedagloriousprize!
Whatfairerguerdonmeetsoureyes?——
Thoughneitherwealthnorpowerarethine,Averyherothoudostshine。
Asoftheprophet,theywilltell,WamikandAsia’staleaswell——
They’lltellnotofthem,——they’llbutgiveTheirnames,whichnowareallthatlive。
Thedeedstheydid,thetoilstheyprovedNomortalknows!ButthattheylovedThisknowwe。Here’sthestorytrueOfWamikandofAsiatoo。
1827。*——
LOVE’stormentssoughtaplaceofrest,Whereallmightdrearandlonelybe。
Theyfounderelongmydesertbreast,Andnestledinitsvacancy。
1827。*——
IV。TEFKIRNAME。
BOOKOFCONTEMPLATION。
FIVETHINGS。
WHATmakestimeshorttome?
Activity!
Whatmakesitlongandspiritless?
’Tisidleness!
Whatbringsustodebt?
Todelayandforget!
Whatmakesussucceed?
DecisionwithspeedHowtofametoascend?
Oneselftodefend!
1814——
FORwomandueallowancemake!
Form’dofacrookedribwasshe,——
ByHeavenshecouldnotstraightenedbe。
Attempttobendher,andshe’llbreak。
Ifleftalone,morecrookedgrowsmadam。
Whatwellcouldbeworse,mygoodfriend,Adam?——
Forwomandueallowancemake。
’Tweregrievous,ifthyribshouldbreak!
1819。*——
FIRDUSISpeaks。
OHworld,withwhatbasenessandguiltthouartrife!
Thounurtures,trainest,andillestthewhile。
HeonlywhomAllahdothblesswithhissmileIstrain’dandisnurturedwithrichesandlife。
1819。*——
SULEIKASpeaks。
THEmirrortellsme,Iamfair!
Thousayest,togrowoldmyfatewillbe。
NoughtinGod’spresencechangethe’er,——
Lovehim,forthisonemoment,then,inme。
1819。*——
V。RENDSCHNAME
BOOKOFGLOOM。
ITisafaultoneselftopraise,Andyet’tisdonebyeachwhosedeedsarekind。
Andifthere’snodeceitinwhathesays,Thegoodwestillasgoodshallfind。
Let,then,yefools,thatwisemantasteOfjoy,whofanciesthatheswise,Thathe,afoollikeyou,maywasteTh’insipidthankstheworldsupplies。
1816——
VI。HIKMETNAME。
BOOKOFPROVERBS。
CALLonthepresentdayandnightfornought,Savewhatbyyesterdaywasbrought——
THEseaisflowingever,Thelandretainsitnever——
BEstirring,man,whileyetthedayisclear。
ThenightwhennonecanworkfastDrawethnear——
WHENtheheavy-ladensigh,Deeminghelpandhopegoneby,Oft,withhealingpowerisheard,Comfort-fraught,akindlyword——
Howvastismineinheritance,howgloriousandsublime!
Fortimemineownpossessionis,thelandItillistime!——
UNWARYsaith,——ne’erlivedamanmoretrue。
Thedeepestheart,thehighestheadheknew,——
Inev’ryplaceandtimethou’ltfindavailingUprightness,judgment,kindlinessunfailing——
THOUGHthebardswhomtheOrientsunbathbless’dAregreaterthanwewhodwellinthewest,Yetinhatredofthosewhomourequalswefind。
Inthiswe’renotintheleastbehind——
WOULDweletourenvyburst,Feeditshungerfullyfirst!
Tokeepourproperplace,We’llshowourbristlesmore。
Withhawksmenallthingschase,Exceptthesavageboar——
BYthosewhothemselvesmorebravelyhavefoughtAhero’spraisewillbejoyfullytold。
TheworthofmancanonlybetaughtBythosewhohavesuffer’dbothheatandcold——
WHEREFOREistruthsofarfromoureyes,Buriedasthoughinadistantland?
Noneatthepropermomentarewise!
Couldtheyproperlyunderstand,Truthwouldappearinherownsweetguise,Beauteous,gentle,andcloseathand——
WHYtheseinquiriesmake,Wherecharitymayflow?
Castinthefloodthycake,——
Itseater,whowillknow?——
ONCEwhenIaspiderhadkill’d,Thenmethought:wastrightorwrong?
Thatwebothtothesetimesshouldbelong,ThishadGodinHisgoodnesswilled——
MOTLEYthiscongregationis,for,lo!
Atthecommunionkneelbothfriendandfoe——
IFthecountryI’mtoshow,Thoumustonthehousetopgo——
AMANwithhouseholdstwainNe’erfindsattentionmeet,AhousewhereintwowomenreignIsne’erkeptcleanandneat——
BLESS,thoudreadCreator,Blessthishumblefane。
Manmaybuildthemgreater,——
Morethey’llnotcontain——
LETthishouse’sgloryrise,Handedtofaragesdown,Andthesonhishonourprize。
Asthefatherhisrenown——
O’ERtheMediterraneanseaProudlyhaththeOrientsprung。
WholovesHafisandknowshim,heKnowswhatCaldronhathsung——
IFtheassthatboretheSaviourWeretoMeccadriven,heWouldnotalter,butwouldbeStillanassinhisbehavior——
THEfloodofpassionstormswithfruitlessstrife’Gainsttheunvanquishedsolidland——
Itthrowspoeticpearlsuponthestrand,Andthusisgain’dtheprizeoflife——
WHENsomanyminstrelsthereare,Howitpainsme,alas,toknowit!
Whofromtheearthdrivespoetryfar?
Whobutthepoet!——
VII。TIMURNAME。
BOOKOFTIMUR。
THEWINTERANDTIMUR。
SothewinternowclosedroundthemWithresistlessfury。ScatteringOverallhisbreathsoicy,HeinflamedeachwindthatblitheToassailthemangrily。
OverthemhegavedominionTohisfrost-unsharpenedtempests。
DowntoTimur’scouncilwenthe,Andwiththreat’ningvoiceaddress’dhim:——
Softly,slowly,wretchedbeing!
Live,thetyrantofinjustice。
Butshallheartsbescorch’dmuchlongerBythyflames,——consumebeforethem?
IfamongsttheevilspiritsThouartone,——good!I’manother。
Thouagreybeardart——soIam。
Landandmenwemaketostiffen。
ThouartMars!AndISaturnus,——
Bothareevil-workingplanets,Whenunited,horror-fraught。
Thoudostkillthesoul,thoufreezesE’entheatmosphere。stillcolderIsmybreaththanthinewasever。
ThywildarmiesvexthefaithfulWithathousandvaryingtorments。
Well!GodgrantthatIdiscoverEvenworse,beforeIperish!
AndbyGod,I’llgivetheenone。
LetGodhearwhatnowItellthee!
Yes,byGod!fromDeath’scoldclutchesNought,Ogreybeard,shallprotectthee,Notthehearth’sbroadcoalfire’sardour,NotDecember’sbrightestflame。
1814——
TOSULEIKA。
FITTINGperfumestoprepare,Andtoraisethyrapturehigh,MustathousandrosebudsfairFirstinfierytormentsdie。
Onesmallflask’scontentstoglean,Whosesweetfragranceayemaylive,Slenderasthyfingere’en,Mustaworlditstreasuresgive。
Yes,aworldwherelifeismoving,Which,withimpulsefullandstrong,CouldforbodetheBulbul’sloving,Sweet,andspirit-stirringsong。
Sincetheythushaveswell’dourjoy,Shouldsuchtormentsgrieveus,then?
DothnotTimur’sruledestroyMyriadsoulsoflivingmen?
1815。*——
VIII。SULEIKANAME。
BOOKOFSULEIKA。
ONCE,methought,inthenighthourscold,ThatIsawthemooninmysleep。
ButassoonasIwaken’d,beholdUnawaresrosethesunfromthedeep。
THATSuleika’slovewassostrongForJoseph,needcausenosurprise。
Hewasyoung,youthpleaseththeeyes,——
Hewasfair,theysay,beyondmeasureFairwasshe,andsogreatwastheirpleasure。
Butthatthou,whoawaitedstmelong,Youthfulglancesoffiredostthrowme,Soonwiltblessme,thylovenowdostshowme,Thisshallmyjoyousnumbersproclaim,TheeIforeverSuleikashallname。
1815——
HATEM。
NOToccasionmakesthethief。
She’sthegreatestofthewhole。
ForLove’srelics,tomygrief,Frommyachingheartshestole。
Shehathgivenittothee,——
Allthejoymylifehadknown,Sothat,inmypoverty,LifeIseekfromtheealone。
YetcompassiongreetsmestraightInthelustreofthineeye,AndIblessmynewbornfate,AswithinthinearmsIlie。
1815——
SULEIKA。
THEsunappears!Aglorioussight!
Thecrescent-moonclingsroundhimnow。
Whatcouldthiswondrouspairunite?
Howtoexplainthisriddle?How?
HATEM。
Maythisourjoy’sforeboderprove!
InitIviewmyselfandthee。
Thoucalmestmethysun,mylove,——
Come,mysweetmoon,clingthouroundme!
1815——
LOVEforlove,andmomentssweet,Lipsreturningkissforkiss,Wordforword,andeyesthatmeet。
Breathforbreath,andblissforbliss。
Thusateve,andthusthemorrow!
Yetthoufeeblest,atmylay,Eversomehalf-hiddensorrow。
CouldIJoseph’sgracesborrow,AllthybeautyI’drepay!
1815——
HATEM。
O,SAY,’neathwhatcelestialsignThedaydothlie,Whenne’eragainthisheartofmineAwaywillfly?
Ande’enthoughfledwhatthoughtdivine!
Wouldnearmelie?——
Onthesoftcouch,onwhosesweetshrineMyheartnearherswilllie!
1816——
HATEM。
HOLDme,locks,securelycaughtInthecircleofherface!
Dearbrownserpents,IhavenoughtTorepaythisactofgrace,Saveaheartwhoselovene’erdies,Throbbingwithaye-youthfulglow。
ForaragingETAlies’Neathitsveilofmistandsnow。
Yondermountain’sstatelybrowThou,likemorningbeams,dostshame。
OnceagainfeelsHatemnowSpring’ssoftbreathandsummer’sflame。
Onemorebumper!Filltheglass。
ThislastcupIpledgetothee!——
Bymineashesifshepass,Heconsumed,she’llsay,forme。
1815——
THELOVINGONESPEAKS。
ANDwhereforesendsnotThehorseman-captainHisheraldshitherEachday,unfailing?
Yethathhehorses,Hewriteswell。
HewaitethTali,AndNeskiknowsheTowritewithbeautyOnsilkentablets。
I’ddeemhimpresent,HadIhiswords。
ThesickOnewillnot,WillnotrecoverFromhersweetsorrow。
She,whenshehearethThathertrueloverGrowswell,fallssick。
1819。*——
THELOVINGONEAGAIN。
WRITESheinNeski,Faithfullyspeakshe。
WritesheinTali,Joytogive,seekshe:
Writesheineither,Good!——forheloves!
1819。*——
THESEtuftedbranchesfairObserve,mylovedone,well!
AndseethefruitstheybearIngreenandpricklyshell!
They’vehungroll’dup,tillnow,Unconsciouslyandstill。
Aloosely-wavingboughDothrockthematitswill。
Yet,ripeningfromwithin。
Thekernelbrownswellsfast。
Itseekstheairtowin,Itseeksthesunatlast。
Withjoyitburstsitsthrall,Theshellmustneedsgiveway。
’TisthusmynumbersfallBeforethyfeet,eachday。
1815——
SULEIKA。
WHATisbythisstirreveal’d?
DoththeEastgladtidingsbring?
Formyheart’sdeepwoundsareheal’dByhismildandcoolingwing。
Hethedustwithsportsdothmeet,Andingentlecloudletschase。
Tothevineleaf’ssaferetreatDrivestheinsects’happyrace,Coolstheseburningcheeksofmine,Checksthesun’sfierceglowAdam,Kisses,asheflies,thevine,Flauntingoverhillandplain。
AndhiswhisperssoftconveyThousandgreetingsfrommyfriend。
Erethesehillsownnight’sdarksway,Kissesgreetme,withoutend。
Thuscanstthoustillonwardgo,Servingfriendandmournertoo!
There,whereloftyrampartsglow,SoonthelovedoneshallIview。
Ah,whatmakestheheart’struthknown,——
Love’ssweetbreath,——anewbornlife,——
LearnIfromhismouthalone,Inhisbreathaloneisrife!
1815——
THESUBLIMETYPE。
THEsun,whomGreciansHelmscall,Hisheavenlypathwithpridedothtread,And,tosubduetheworld’swideall,Looksround,beneathhim,higho’erhead。
Heseesthefairestgoddesspine,Heaven’schild,thedaughteroftheclouds,——
Forheraloneheseemstoshine。
Intremblinggriefhisformheshrouds,Carelessforalltherealmsofbliss,——
Herstreamingtearsmoreswiftlyflow:
Foreverypearlhegivesakiss,Andchangethintojoyherwoe。
Shegazethupwardfixedly,Anddeeplyfeelshisglanceofmight,While,stampedwithhisowneffigy,Eachpearlwouldrangeitselfaright。
Thuswreath’dwithbows,withhuesthusgrac’d,Withgladnessbeamsherfacesofair,Whilehe,tomeether,makethhaste,Andyet,alas!canreachherne’er。
So,bytheharshdecreeofFate,Thoumodestfromme,dearestone。
AndwereIHelmse’en,theGreat,Whatwouldavailhischariot-throne?
1815——
SULEIKA。
ZEPHYR,forthyhumidwing,Oh,howmuchIenvythee!
ThoutohimcansttidingsbringHowourpartingsaddensme!
Inmybreast,ayearningstillAsthypinionswave,appears。
Flow’rsandeyes,andwood,andhillAtthybreatharesteepedintears。
Yetthymildwinggivesrelief,Soothestheachingeyelid’spain。
Ah,Ielsehaddiedforgrief,Himne’erhopedtoseeagain。
Tomylove,then,quickrepair,Whispersoftlytohisheart。
Yet,togivehimpain,beware,Normybosom’spangsimpart。
Tellhim,butinaccentscoy,Thathislovemustbemylife。
Both,withfeelingsfraughtwithjoy,Inhispresencewillberife。
1815——
THEREUNION。
CANitbe!ofstarsthestar,DoIpresstheetomyheart?
Inthenightofdistancefar,Whatdeepgulf,whatbittersmart!
Yes,’tisthou,indeed,atlast,Ofmyjoysthepartnerdear!
Mindful,though,ofsorrowspast,Ithepresentneedsmustfear。
Whenthestill-unfashion’dearthLayonGod’seternalbreast,Heordain’ditshourofbirth,Withcreativejoypossess’d。
Thenaheavysigharose,WhenHespakethesentence:——Be!
AndtheAll,withmightythroes,Burstintoreality。
Andwhenthuswasbornthelight,Darknessnearitfear’dtostay,AndtheelementswithmightFledoneverysideaway。
Eachonsomefar-distanttrace,Eachwithvisionswildemploy,Numb,inboundlessrealmofspace,Harmonyandfeeling-void。
Dumbwasall,allstillanddead,Forthefirsttime,Godalone!
ThenHeform’dthemorning-red,Whichsoonmadeitskindnessknown:
Itunravelledfromthewaste,Brightandglowingharmony,Andoncemorewithlovewasgrac’dWhatcontendedformerly。
Andwithearnest,noblestrife,EachitsownPeculiarsought。
Backtofull,unboundedlifeSightandfeelingsoonwerebrought。
Wherefore,if’tisdone,exploreHow?whygivethemanner,name?
Allahneedcreatenomore,Wehisworldourselvescanframe。
So,withmorningpinionsbright,TothymouthwasIimpell’d。
Stampedwiththousandsealsbynight,Star-clearisthebondfastheld。
ParagonsonearthareweBothofgriefandjoysublime,Andasecondsentence:——Be!
Partsusnotasecondtime。
1815——
SULEIKA。
WITHwhatinwardjoy,sweetlay,Ithymeaninghavedescried!
Lovinglythouseem’sttosayThatI’meverbyhisside。
Thatheeverthinksofme,ThathetotheabsentgivesAllhislove’ssweetecstasy,Whileforhimaloneshelives。
Yes,themirrorwhichrevealsThee,mylovedone,ismybreast。
Thisthebosom,wherethysealsEndlesskisseshaveimpress’d。
Numberssweet,unsulliedtruth,Chainmedowninsympathy!
Love’sembodiedradiantyouth,Inthegarbofpoesy!
1819。*——
INthousandformsmaystthouattemptsurprise,Yet,all-beloved-one,straightknowIthee。
Thoumaystwithmagicveilsthyfacedisguise,Andyet,all-present-one,straightknowIthee。
Uponthecypress’purest,youthfulbud,All-beauteous-growing-one,straightknowIthee。
Inthecanal’sunsullied,livingflood,All-captivating-one,wellknowIthee。
Whenspreadsthewater-column,risingproud,All-sportiveone,howgladlyknowIthee。
When,e’eninforming,istransform’dthecloud,All-figure-changing-one,thereknowIthee。
Veilinthemeadow-carpet’sflowerycharms,All-checkered-starry-fair-one,knowIthee。
Andifaplantextenditsthousandarms,O,all-embracing-one,thereknowIthee。
Whenonthemountiskindledmorn’ssweetlight,Straightway,all-gladdening-one,saluteIthee,Thearchofheaveno’erheadgrowspureandbright,——
All-heart-expanding-one,thenbreatheIthee。
Thatwhichmyinward,outwardsenseproclaims,Thouall-instructing-one,Iknowthroughthee。
AndifIutterAllah’shundrednames,Anamewitheachoneechoes,meantforthee。
1819。*——
IX。SAKENAME。
THECONVIVIALBOOK。
CANtheKoranfromEternitybe?
’Tisworthnotathought!
CantheKoranacreation,then,be?
Ofthat,Iknownought!
Yetthatthebookofallbooksitmustbe,Ibelieve,asaMussulmanought。
ThatfromEternitywine,though,mustbe,Ieverhavethought。
That’twasordain’d,eretheAngels,tobe,Asatruthmaybetaught。
Drinkers,howeverthesemattersmaybe,GazeonGod’sface,fearingnought。
1815——
YE’VEoften,forourdrunkenness,Blamedusinev’ryway,And,inabuseofdrunkenness,Enoughcanneversay。
Men,overcomebydrunkenness,Arewonttolietillday。
AndyetIfindmydrunkennessAllnight-timemakemestray。
For,oh!’tisLove’ssweetdrunkennessThatmakethmeitsprey,Whichnightandday,anddayandnight,Myheartmustneedsobey,——
Aheartthat,initsdrunkenness,Poursforthfullmanyalay,SothatnotriflingdrunkennessCandareassertitssway。
Love,song,andwine’ssweetdrunkenness,Bynight-timeandbyday,——
Howgod-likeisthedrunkennessThatmakethmeitsprey!
1815——
X。MATHALNAME。
BOOKOFPARABLES。
FROMheaventherefelluponthefoamingwaveAtimiddrop。thefloodwithangerroared,——
ButGod,itsmodestboldnesstoreward,Strengthtothedropandfirmendurancegave。
Itsformthemusselcaptivetook,Andtoitslastinggloryandrenown,Thepearlnowglistensinourmonarch’scrown,Withgentlegleamandlovinglook。
1819。*——
BULBUL’Ssong,throughnighthourscold,RosetoAllah’sthroneonhigh。
Torewardhermelody,Givethheacageofgold。
Suchacagearelimbsofmen,——
Thoughatfirstshefeelsconfin’d,Yetwhenallshebringstomind,Straightthespiritsingsagain。
1819。*——
INtheKoranwithstrangedelightApeacock’sfeathermetmysight:
Thou’rtwelcomeinthisholyplace,Thehighestprizeonearth’swideface!
Asinthestarsofheaven,inthee,God’sgreatnessinthesmallwesee。
Forhewhosegazewholeworldsbathbless’dHiseyehathevenhereimpress’d,Andthelightdowninbeautydress’d,Sothate’enmonarchscannothopeInsplendourwiththebirdtocope。
Meeklyenjoythyhappylot,Andsodeservethatholyspot!
1815——
ALLkindsofmen,bothsmallandgreat,Afine-spunwebdelighttocreate,Andinthemiddletheytaketheirplace,Andwieldtheirscissorswithwondrousgrace。
Butifabesomshouldsweepthatway:
Whatamostshamefulthing,theysay,——
They’vecrush’damightypalaceto-day。
1815——
ITISGOOD。
INParadisewhilemoonbeamsplay’d,Jehovahfound,inslumberdeep,Adamfastsunk。HegentlylaidEvenearhim,——she,too,fellasleep。
Therelaytheynow,onearth’sfairshrine,God’stwomostbeauteousthoughtsdivine——
WhenthisHesaw,Hecried:——’TisGood!!!
AndscarcecouldmovefromwhereHestood。
Nowonder,thatourjoy’scompleteWhileeyeandeyeresponsivemeet,Whenthisblestthoughtofrapturemovesus——
Thatwe’rewithHimwhotrulylovesus,AndifHecries:——Good,letitbe!
’Tissoforboth,itseemstome。
Thou’rtclasp’dwithinthesearmsofmine,DearestofallGod’sthoughtsdivine!
1815——
XI。PARISNAME。
BOOKOFTHEPARSEES。
THEBEQUESTOFTHEANCIENTPERSIANFAITH。
BRETHREN,whatbequesttoyoushouldcomeFromthelowlypoorman,goinghome,Whomyeyoungeroneswithpatiencetended,Whoselastdaysyehonour’danddefended?
Whenweofthaveseenthemonarchride,Golduponhim,goldonev’ryside。
Jewelsonhim,onhiscourtiersall,Thicklystrewedashailstoneswhentheyfall,Haveyee’erknownenvyatthesight?
Andnotfeltyourgazebecomemorebright,Whenthesunwas,onthewingsofmorning,Darnawend’sunnumber’dpeaksadorning,Ashe,bow-like,rose?HoweacheyedweltOnthegloriousscene!Ifelt,Ifelt,Thousandtimes,aslife’sdaysfleetedby,Bornewithhim,thecomingone,onhigh。
GoduponHisthronethentoproclaim,Him,thelife-fount’smightyLord,toname,Worthilytoprizethatglorioussight,AndtowanderonbeneathHislight。
Whenthefieryorbwasalldefined,ThereIstood,asthoughindarkness,blind,Beatmybreast,myquicken’dmembersthrewOntheearth,brow-foremost,attheview。
Letthisholy,greatbequestrewardBrotherlygood-willandkindregard:
SOLEMNDUTY’SDAILYobservation——
Morethanthis,itneedsnorevelation。
Ifitsgentlehandsanew-bornoneMove,thenstraightwayturnittow’rdthesun,——
Soulandbodydipinbathoffire!
Theneachmorning’sfavour’twillacquire。
Tothelivingone,committhedead,O’erthebeastletearthanddustbespread,And,sofarasmayextendyourmight,Whatyedeemimpure,concealfromsight。
Tillyourplainstogracefulpurity,Thatthesunwithjoyyourlabourssee。
Whenyeplant,yourtreesinrowscontrive,ForhemakestheRegulartothrive。
E’enthefloodsthatthroughthechannelrushMustnotfailinfulnessoringush。
AndasSenderud,frommountainhigh,Risespure,inpurenessmustitdie。
Nottoweakenwater’sgentlefall,Carefullycleanseoutthechannelsall。
Salamander,snake,andrush,andreed,——
Alldestroy,——eachmonsterandeachweed。
Ifthuspureyeearthandwaterkeep,Throughtheairthesunwillgladlypeep,Wherehe,worthilyenshrinedinspace,Workethlife,tolifegivesholygrace。
Ye,bytoilontoilsosorelytried,Comforttake,theAllispurified。
Andnowman,aspriest,mayboldlydareFromthestoneGod’simagetoprepare。
Whentheflameburnsjoyouslyandbright,Limbsaresupple,radiantisthenight。
Onthehearthwhenfirewithardourglows,Ripethesapofplantsandcreaturesgrows。
Draggingwood,withrapturebeitdone,’Tistheseedofmanyanearthlysun。
PluckingPambeh,gladlymayyesay:——
This,aswick,theHolywillconvey。
Ifyemeekly,ineachburninglamp,Seethenoblerlight’sresplendentstamp,Ne’erwillFatepreventyou,voidoffeeling,AtGod’sthroneatmorningtidefromkneeling。
ThisisBeing’smightysignet,then,God’spureglasstoangelsandtomen。
EachwordlispedtheHighest’spraisetosound,Ringinring,unitedthereisfound。
FromtheshoreofSenderudascendeth,UptoDarnawenditspinionsbendeth,AsHedawns,withjoytogreetHislight,Youwithendlessblessingstorequite。
1819。*——
XII。CHULDNAME。
BOOKOFPARADISE。
THEPRIVILEGEDMEN。
AFTERTHEBATTLEOFBADE,BENEATHTHECANOPYOFHEAVEN。
[ThisbattlewasfoughtinthesecondyearoftheHegiraA。A。
623,betweenthefollowersofMahomet,whonumberedthreehundredandthirteen,possessingtwohorsesandseventycamels,andthe’idolaters,’orMeccans,whoseforcesamountedtoninehundredandfifty,includingtwohundredcavalry。ThevictoryremainedwithMahomet,wholostfourteenmen,whileseventyoftheenemywereslain。AgreataccessionofstrengthensuedinconsequencetotheProphet,whopretendedthatmiracleswerewroughtinhisbehalfinthebattle,Godhavingsentangelstofightonhisside,andhavingalsomadehisarmytoappearlargertotheenemythanitreallywas——SeetheKoran,chapterviii。,andABULFEDA’SLifeofMahomet。]
MAHOMETSpeaks。
LETthefoemansorrowo’erhisdead,Ne’erwilltheyreturnagaintolight。
O’erourbrethrenletnotearbeshed,Fortheydwellaboveyonspheressobright。
AllthesevenplanetsopenthrowAlltheirmetaldoorswithmightyshock,AndtheformsofthosewelovedbelowAtthegatesofEdenboldlyknock。
Theretheyfind,withblissne’erdream’dbefore,Gloriesthatmyflightfirstshow’dtoeye,WhenthewondroussteedmypersonboreInonesecondthroughtherealmsonhigh。
Wisdom’strees,incypress-ordergrowing,Highupholdthegoldenapplessweet。
Treesoflife,theirspreadingshadowsthrowing,Shadeeachblossomingplant,eachflow’ryseat。
NowabalmyzephyrfromtheEastBringstheheavenlymaidenstothyview。
Withtheeyethounowdosttastethefeast,Soonthesightpervadestheethroughandthrough。
Theretheystand,toasktheethycareer:
Mightyplans?ordangerousbloodyrout?
Thou’rtahero,knowthey,——forThourthere,Whatahero?——Thisthey’llfathomout。
Bythywoundssoonclearlythisisshown,Woundsthatwritethyfame’sundyingstory。
Woundsthetruebelievermarkalone,Whenhaveperish’djoyandearthlyglory。
Tochiosksandarborsthouartbrought,Fill’dwithcheckeredmarblecolumnsbright。
Tothenoblegrape-juice,solace-fraught,Theytheguestwithkindlysipsinvite。
Youth!Thou’rtwelcomemorethane’erwasyouthAllalikeareradiantandserene。
Whenthoutak’stonetothineheartwithtruth,Ofthybandshe’llbethefriendandqueen。
Sopreparetheeforthisplaceofrest,Nevercanitnowbechangedagain。
Maidslikethesewillevermaketheeblest,Wineslikethesewillneverharmthybrain。
1819——
THEFAVOUREDBEASTS。
OrbeaststherehavebeenchosenfourTocometoParadise,AndtherewithsaintsforevermoreTheydwellinhappywise。
AmongstthemalltheAssstandsfirst。
Hecomeswithjoyousstride,FortotheProphet-CityerstDidJesusonhimride。
HalftimidnextaWolfdothcreep,TowhomMahometspakeSpoilnotthepoormanofhissheep,Therichman’sthoumaysttake。
AndthenthebraveandfaithfulHound,Whobyhismasterkept,AndsleptwithhimtheslumberssoundThesevensleepersslept。
Abuherrira’sCat,too,here,Purrsroundhismasterblest,ForholymustthebeastappearTheProphethathcaress’d。
1815