Part 30 (1/2)

For whom build we, who must ourselves return Into our native element of clay?

O Death, nor violence nor flattery thou Dost use, but when thou com'st, escape none may.

Methinks, thou art ready to surprise mine age, As age surprised and made my youth his prey.

What ails me, World, that every place perforce I lodge thee in, it galleth me to stay?

And, O Time, how do I behold thee run To spoil me? Thine own gift thou tak'st away!

O Time! inconstant, mutable art thou, And o'er the realm of ruin is thy sway.

What ails me that no glad result it brings Whene'er, O World, to milk thee I essay?

And when I court thee, why dost thou raise up On all sides only trouble and dismay?

Men seek thee every wise, but thou art like A dream; the shadow of a cloud; the day Which hath but now departed, nevermore To dawn again; a glittering vapour gay.

This people thou hast paid in full: their feet Are on the stirrup--let them not delay!

But those that do good works and labour well Hereafter shall receive the promised pay.

As if no punishment I had to fear, A load of sin upon my neck I lay; And while the world I love, from Truth, alas, Still my besotted senses go astray.

I shall be asked of all my business here: What can I plead then? What can I gainsay?

What argument allege, when I am called To render an account on Reckoning-Day?

Dooms twain in that dread hour shall be revealed, When I the scroll of these mine acts survey: Either to dwell in everlasting bliss, Or suffer torments of the d.a.m.ned for aye!”[543]

I will now add a few verses culled from the Diwan which bring the poet's pessimistic view of life into clearer outline, and also some examples of those moral precepts and sententious criticisms which crowd his pages and have contributed in no small degree to his popularity.

”The world is like a viper soft to touch that venom spits.”[544]

”Men sit like revellers o'er their cups and drink, From the world's hand, the circling wine of death.”[545]

”Call no man living blest for aught you see But that for which you blessed call the dead.”[546]

FALSE FRIENDS.

”'Tis not the Age that moves my scorn, But those who in the Age are born.

I cannot count the friends that broke Their faith, tho' honied words they spoke; In whom no aid I found, and made The Devil welcome to their aid.

May I--so best we shall agree-- Ne'er look on them nor they on me!”[547]

”If men should see a prophet begging, they would turn and scout him.

Thy friend is ever thine as long as thou canst do without him; But he will spew thee forth, if in thy need thou come about him.”[548]

THE WICKED WORLD.

”'Tis only on the culprit sin recoils, The ignorant fool against himself is armed.