Chinese and Arabian Literature - E. Wilson - The Search For Mecca

58
SELECTIONS FROM ARABIAN POETRY
What boots it, Mavia, in the grave,
Whether I lov'd to waste or save?
The hand that millions now can grasp,
In death no more than mine shall clasp.
Were I ambitious to behold
Increasing stores of treasur'd gold.
Each tribe that roves the desert knows
I might be wealthy if I chose:
— —
But other joys can gold impart,
Far other wishes warm my hearts
Ne'er may I strive to swell the heap,
Till want and woe have ceas'd to weep.
With brow unalter'd I can see
The hour of wealth or poverty
: ;
I've drunk from both the cups of fate.
Nor this could sink, nor that elate.
With fortune blest, I ne'er was found
To look with scorn on those around
Nor for the loss of paltry ore,
Shall Hatem seem to Hatem poor.
THE BATTLE OF SABLA«
Sabla, thou saw'st th' exulting foe
In fancied triumphs crown'd;
Thou heard'st their frantic females throw
These galling taunts around:
;
)
Hatem Tai.
" Make now your choice—the terms we give,
Desponding victims, hear
These fetters on your hands receive,
Or in your hearts the spear."
^ This poem and the one following it Arabian clans, and of the rancor with
are both taken from the Hamasa and which they pursued each other, when
afford curious instances of the animos- once at variance,
ity which prevailed amongst the several