In debasement deeply sunken Lies the fool, through wine's might captur'd: When _he_ drinks becomes he drunken; When _we_ drink we are enraptured. Sparkling gleams of wit, worth dreaming, Flash from tongues like angel's seeming, And with ardor we are teeming, And alone with beauty drunken. Well resembles wine the shower Which to mire fresh mire amasses, But to fair fields brings a dower Rich in blessing as it passes. One evening Bodenstedt discovered his worthy teacher singing before a house on whose roof sat a graceful maiden, and from the man's whole manner then and thereafter concluded that in the long-faithful heart had been at last replaced the image of Zuléikha. And so it proved. On the very evening when he was returning home with softened heart after the recital of the joys and sorrows of his first love, Mirza-Schaffy's attention had been arrested by a lovely maiden who, as he pushed back his cap--solely, of course, to cool his heated brow--gave incontestable evidences of being smitten with him. When he went to his couch that night sleep refused to visit his eyelids, and as he restlessly tossed to and fro, the image of Zuléikha haunting him with reproachful mien, his thoughts turned ever to the peerless maiden who menaced further fidelity to the old love. Ere morning dawned he had resolved to break the spell, and for several days avoided the locality of the fair enticer. But the attraction became finally too strong to resist. He went, he saw the maiden, and she bestowed on him a glance which rendered him her slave for life; A wond'rous glance hath met my eyes: The magic of this moment rare Worketh for aye a fresh surprise, A miracle beyond compare. A question, therefore, ask I thee-- Pay heed, sweet life whom I adore-- Was that fond glance bestowed on me? A token give, then, I implore. And round thee could my strong arm cling, Might I to thee life consecrate, Loud jubilees my heart would sing, And these to thee I'd dedicate.