"Volume X" - читать интересную книгу автора (Burtons Version)

ТTis as if wine and he who bears the bowl, * Rising to show her charms for man to see, [FN#78]
Were dancing undurn-Sun whose face the moon * Of night adorned with stars of Gemini.
So subtle is her essence it would seem * Through every limb like course of soul runs she.

And how excellent is the saying of the poet:--

Slept in mine arms full Moon of brightest blee * Nor did that sun eclipse in goblet see:
I nighted spying fire whereto bow down * Magians, which bowed from ewerТs lip to me.

And that of another:--

It runs through every joint of them as runs * The surge of health returning to the sick.

And yet another:--

I marvel at its pressers, how they died * And left us aqua vitae--lymph of life!

And yet goodlier is the saying of Abu Nowas:--

Cease then to blame me, for thy blame doth anger bring * And with the draught that maddened me come medТcining:
A yellow girl [FN#79] whose court cures every carking care; * Did a stone touch it would with joy and glee upspring:
She riseth in her ewer during darkest night * The house with brightest, sheeniest light illumining:
And going round of youths to whom the world inclines [FN#80] * NeТer, save in whatso way they please, their hearts shall wring.
From hand of coynted [FN#81] lass begarbed like yarded lad, [FN#82] * Wencher and Tribe of Lot alike enamouring,
She comes: and say to him who dares claim lore of love * Something hast learnt but still thereТs many another thing.

But best of all is the saying of Ibn al-MuТtazz [FN#83]:--

On the shady woody island [FN#84] His showers Allah deign * Shed on Convent hight Abd·n [FN#85] drop and drip of railing rain:
Oft the breezes of the morning have awakened me therein * When the Dawn shows her blaze, [FN#86] ere the bird of flight was fain;
And the voices of the monks that with chants awoke the walls * Black-frocked shavelings ever wont the cup amorn to drain. [FN#87]
ТMid the throng how many fair with languour-kohlТd eyes [FN#88] * And lids enfolding lovely orbs where black on white was lain,
In secret came to see me by shirt of night disguised * In terror and in caution a-hurrying amain!
Then I rose and spread my cheek like a carpet on his path * In homage, and with skirts wiped his trail from off the plain.
But threatening disgrace rose the Crescent in the sky * Like the paring of a nail yet the light would never wane:
Then happened whatso happened: I disdain to kiss and tell * So deem of us thy best and with queries never mell.

And gifted of God is he who saith:--

In the morn I am richest of men * And in joy at good news I start up
For I look on the liquid gold [FN#89] * And I measure it out by the cup.

And how goodly is the saying of the poet:--

By Allah, this is thТ only alchemy * All said of other science false we see!
Carat of wine on hundredweight of woe * Transmuteth gloomiest grief to joy and glee.

And that of another:--

The glasses are heavy when empty brought * Till we charge them all with unmixшd wine.