Say that you hate, and freely show That age displeases youth; And I may love you when I know That you can tell the truth. _Caliph Almonklafi Laimrillah_. [41] Almonklafi was the thirty-first Caliph of the house of Abbas, and the only one who possessed any real authority since the reign of Radhi. These lines were addressed to a lady who pretended a passion for him in his old age. ON PROCRASTINATION[42] Youth is a drunken noisy hour, With every folly fraught; But man, by age's chast'ning power, Is sober'd into thought. Then we resolve our faults to shun, And shape our course anew; But ere the wise reform's begun Life closes on our view. The travellers thus who wildly roam, Or heedlessly delay, Are left, when they should reach their home, Benighted on the way. _Hebat Allah Ibn Altalmith_. [42] Ibn Altalmith died in the 560th year of the Hegira, at the advanced age of one hundred. THE EARLY DEATH OF ABOU ALHASSAN ALY[43] Soon hast thou run the race of life, Nor could our tears thy speed control-- Still in the courser's gen'rous strife The best will soonest reach the goal. As Death upon his hand turns o'er The different gems the world displays, He seizes first to swell his store The brightest jewel he surveys. Thy name, by every breath convey'd, Stretch'd o'er the globe its boundless flight; Alas! in eve the lengthening shade But lengthens to be lost in night! If gracious Allah bade thee close Thy youthful eyes so soon on day, 'Tis that he readiest welcomes those Who love him best and best obey. _Alnassar Ledin Allah_. [43] Alnassar Ledin Allah was the thirty-fourth Abasside Caliph, and the last excepting three who enjoyed this splendid title, which was finally abolished by the Tartars in the year 656. THE INTERVIEW _A Song_ Darkness clos'd around, loud the tempest drove, When thro' yonder glen I saw my lover rove, Dearest youth! Soon he reach'd our cot--weary, wet, and cold, But warmth, wine, and I, to cheer his spirits strove, Dearest youth! How my love, cried I, durst thou hither stray Thro' the gloom, nor fear the ghosts that haunt the grove? Dearest youth! In this heart, said he, fear no seat can find, When each thought is fill'd alone with thee and love, Dearest maid! ARABIAN NIGHTS [_Selected tales edited by Andrew Lang_] THE SEVEN VOYAGES OF SINDBAD