The held. On one occasion, five thousand dinars were Not all the treasured store of ancient days Barrackpore, December 20th, 1835. LAILI AND MAJNUN. I. SAKI, thou know'st I worship wine; Let that delicious cup be mine. With thee inspired, with thee made bold, And, rapt, of love and pleasure sing. Thou art a lion, seeking prey, Along the glades where wild deer stray; And like a lion I would roam, To bring the joys I seek for home; With wine, life's dearest, sweetest treasure, I feel the thrill of every pleasure : -Bring, Saki, bring the ruby now; Its lustre sparkles on thy brow, A 10 And, flashing with a tremulous light, Has made thy laughing eyes more bright: Bring, bring the liquid gem, and see Its power, its wond'rous power, in me. -No ancestors have I to boast; The trace of my descent is lost. Is ever mark'd with guilt and crime; And man, betrayer and betray'd, Lurks like a spider in the shade; But wine still plays a magic part, Exalting high the drooping heart. Then, Saki, linger not, but give Come, bring the juice of the purple vine, A draught of wine the memory clears, 20 30 That wine, which to the fever'd lip, With anguish parch'd, when given to sip, 40 Imparts a rapturous smile, and throws A veil o'er all distracting woes : That wine, the lamp which, night and day, Lights us along our weary way; Which strews the path with fruits and flowers, And gilds with joy our fleeting hours; And lifts the mind, now grown elate, 'Tis not for thee their smiles to share : Of rapture's rich and varied store; And feel the pomp of Kai-Kobád. Of kindness indescribable : Then, since I'm in the drinking vein, Thou 'dst not incur from a minstrel blame; 50 60 70 Let him wash from his heart the dust of sorrow; Let him riot in social bliss till the morrow; Let the sound of the goblet delight his ear, Like the music that breathes from Heaven's own sphere. II. Mark, where instruction pours upon the mind The light of knowledge, simple or refined ; Shaikhs of each tribe have children there, and each 80 Studies whate'er the bearded sage can teach. 90 |