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

SELECTIONS FROM ARABIAN POETRY 65
TO A FEMALE CUP-BEARERS'
Come, Leila, fill the goblet up,
Reach round the rosy wine,
Think not that we will take the cup
From any hand but thine.
A draught like this 'twere vain to seek,
No grape can such supply;
It steals its tint from Leila's cheek,
Its brightness from her eye.
Abd Alsalam Ben Ragban.
MASHDUD ON THE MONKS OF KHABBET"
Tenants of yon hallow'd fane!
Let me your devotions share,
There increasing raptures reign-
None are ever sober there.
—
Crowded gardens, festive bowers
Ne'er shall claim a thought of mine;
You can give in Khabbet's towers
Purer joys and brighter wine.
Tho' your pallid faces prove
How you nightly vigils keep,
*Tis but that you ever love
Flowing goblets more than sleep.
Tho' your eye-balls dim and sunk
Stream in penitential guise,
'Tis but that the wine you've drunk
Bubbles over from your eyes.
" Abd Alsalam was a poet more re- 236th year of the Hegira, aged near
markable for abilities than morality. eighty.
We may form an idea of the nature of " The three following songs were
his compositions from the nickname he written by Mashdud, Rakeek, and Rais,
acquired amongst his contemporaries of three of the most celebrated improvisa-
Cock of the Evil Genii. He died in the tors in Bagdad, at an entertainment
given by Abou Isy.
Vol. lYa.—s