Let the cup, with nectar crowned, Through the grove its beams display, It can shed a luster round, Brighter than the torch of day. Let it pass from hand to hand, Circling still with ceaseless flight, Till the streaks of gray expand O'er the fleeting robe of night. As night flits, she does but cry, "Seize the moments that remain"— Thus our joys with yours shall vie, Tenants of yon hallowed fane! DIALOGUE BY RAIS _Rais_ Maid of sorrow, tell us why Sad and drooping hangs thy head? Is it grief that bids thee sigh? Is it sleep that flies thy bed? _Lady_ Ah! I mourn no fancied wound, Pangs too true this heart have wrung, Since the snakes which curl around Selim's brows my bosom stung. Destined now to keener woes, I must see the youth depart, He must go, and as he goes Bend at once my bursting heart. Slumber may desert my bed, 'Tis not slumber's charms I seek— 'Tis the robe of beauty spread O'er my Selim's rosy cheek. TO A LADY WEEPING[38] (BY EBN ALRUMI) When I beheld thy blue eyes shine Through the bright drop that pity drew, I saw beneath those tears of thine A blue-ey'd violet bathed in dew. The violet ever scents the gale, Its hues adorn the fairest wreath, But sweetest through a dewy veil Its colors glow, its odors breathe. And thus thy charms in brightness rise— When wit and pleasure round thee play, When mirth sits smiling in thine eyes, Who but admires their sprightly ray? But when through pity's flood they gleam, Who but must love their softened beam? ON A VALETUDINARIAN (BY EBN ALRUMI) So careful is Isa, and anxious to last, So afraid of himself is he grown, He swears through two nostrils the breath goes too fast, And he's trying to breathe through but one. ON A MISER (BY EBN ALRUMI) "Hang her, a thoughtless, wasteful fool, She scatters corn where'er she goes"— Quoth Hassan, angry at his mule, That dropped a dinner to the crows. TO CASSIM OBIO ALLAH[39] (BY ALI IBN AHMED) Poor Cassim! thou art doomed to mourn By destiny's decree; Whatever happens it must turn To misery for thee. Two sons hadst thou, the one thy pride, The other was thy pest; Ah, why did cruel death decide To snatch away the best? No wonder thou shouldst droop with woe, Of such a child bereft; But now thy tears must doubly flow, For, ah! the other's left. A FRIEND'S BIRTHDAY[40] When born, in tears we saw thee drowned, While thine assembled friends around, With smiles their joy confessed; So live, that at thy parting hour, They may the flood of sorrow pour, And thou in smiles be dressed! TO A CAT (BY IBN ALALAF ALNAHARWANY)