May she, where'er our footsteps stray, Direct our paths, and clear the way! Till, every scene of tumult past, She bring us to repose at last, Teach us to love that peaceful shore, And roam thro' folly's wilds no more! _Mauid Eddin Alhassan Abou Ismael Altograi_. [38] Abou Ismael was a native of Ispahan. He devoted himself to the service of the Seljuk Sultans of Persia, and enjoyed the confidence of Malec Shah, and his son and grandson, Mohammed and Massoud, by the last of whom he was raised to the dignity of vizir. Massoud, however, was not long in a condition to afford Abou Ismael any protection, for, being attacked by his brother Mahmoud, he was defeated, and driven from Mousel, and upon the fall of his master the vizir was seized and thrown into prison, and at length in the year 515 sentenced to be put to death. TO YOUTH Yes, youth, thou'rt fled, and I am left, Like yonder desolated bower, By winter's ruthless hand bereft Of every leaf and every flower. With heaving heart and streaming eyes I woo'd thee to prolong thy stay, But vain were all my tears and sighs, Thou only fled'st more fast away. Yet tho' thou fled'st away so fast, I can recall thee if I will; For I can talk of what is past, And while I talk, enjoy thee still. _Ebn Alrabia_. ON LOVE[39] I never knew a sprightly fair That was not dear to me, And freely I my heart could share, With every one I see. It is not this or that alone On whom my choice would fall, I do not more incline to one Than I incline to all. The circle's bounding line are they, Its centre is my heart, My ready love the equal ray That flows to every part. _Abou Aly_. [39] Abou Aly flourished in Egypt about the year 530, and was equally celebrated as a mathematician and as a poet. A REMONSTRANCE WITH A DRUNKARD[40] As drench'd in wine, the other night, Zeid from the banquet sallied, Thus I reprov'd his drunken plight, Thus he my prudence rallied; "In bev'rage so impure and vile, How canst thou thus delight?"-- "My cups," he answer'd with a smile, "Are generous and bright." "Beware those dang'rous draughts," I cried, "With love the goblet flows"-- "And curst is he," the youth replied, "Who hatred only knows." "Those cups too soon with sickness fraught Thy stomach shall deplore"-- "Then soon," he cried, "the noxious draught And all its ills are o'er." "Rash youth, thy guilty joys resign." "I will," at length he said, "I vow I'll bid adieu to wine As soon as I am dead." _Yahia Ben Salamet_. [40] This author was a native of Syria, and died at Miafarakir in the year of the Hegira 553. VERSES[41] Tho' such unbounded love you swear, 'Tis only art I see; Can I believe that one so fair Should ever dote on me?