Saadi & Eastern Poems

Trees in groves, Kine in droves, In ocean sport the scaly herds, Wedge-like cleave the air the birds, To northern lakes fly wind-borne ducks, Browse the mountain sheep in flocks, Men consort in camp and town, But the poet dwells alone.

God, who gave to him the lyre, Of all mortals the desire, For all breathing men's behoof, Straitly charged him, 'Sit aloof;' Nor attempt to hit the mark, So shalt thou be known by all As with lamp in a dark stall.

Sad-eyed Fakirs swiftly say Hamlet speeds and fasts today; But, when his kingdom he has won, Then be free, and feast like one.

Butler, fetch the ruby wine Which with sudden greatness fills us; Pour for me, who in my spirit Heard, ere yet I tasted, praises Of a crimson juice that gives The sight of old poetic glimpses.

Wisely said the Hebrew sage, 'Better is a dry morsel, and quietness therewith, Than a house full of sacrifice with strife.'

In the spirit's perilous road, In the never-idle mind, We must also be brave warriors And give up what we most love.

If the red slayer think he slays, Or if the slain think he is slain, They know not well the subtle ways I keep, and pass, and turn again.

Far or forgot to me is near; Shadow and sunlight are the same; The vanished gods to me appear; And one to me are shame and fame.

They reckon ill who leave me out; When me they fly, I am the wings; I am the doubter and the doubt, And I the hymn the Brahmin sings.

The strong gods pine for my abode, And pine in vain the sacred Seven; But thou, meek lover of the good! Find me, and turn thy back on heaven.