[56] The direct influence of Platonism on Moslem thought has been comparatively slight. When the Moslems began to study Greek philosophy, they turned to Aristotle. The genuine writings of Aristotle, however, were not accessible to them. They studied translations of books passing under his name, which were the work of Neoplatonists, so that what they believed to be Aristotelian doctrine was in fact the philosophy of Plotinus, Proclus, and the later Neoplatonic school. Indirectly, therefore, Plato has profoundly influenced the intellectual and spiritual development of Islam and may be called, if not the father of Mohammedan mysticism, at any rate its presiding genius. [57] _I.e._ it is worthless in either case. The egg-shaped wine-jar is supported by bricks in order to keep it in an upright position. VIII _Concerning the true nature of poetry and the reform of Islamic literature._ ‘Tis the brand of desire makes the blood of man run warm, By the lamp of desire this dust is enkindled. By desire Life’s cup is brimmed with wine, 675 So that Life leaps to its feet and marches briskly on. Life is occupied with conquest alone, And the one charm for conquest is desire. Life is the hunter and desire the snare, Desire is Love’s message to Beauty. 680 Wherefore doth desire swell continuously The bass and treble of Life’s song? Whatsoever is good and fair and beautiful Is our guide in the wilderness of seeking. Its image becomes impressed on thine heart, 685 It creates desires in thine heart. Beauty is the creator of desire’s springtide, Desire is nourished by the display of Beauty. ‘Tis in the poet’s breast that Beauty unveils, ‘Tis from his Sinai that Beauty’s beams arise. 690 By his look the fair is made fairer, Through his enchantments Nature is more beloved. From his lips the nightingale hath learned her song, And his rouge hath brightened the cheek of the rose. ‘Tis his passion burns in the heart of the moth, 695 ‘Tis he that lends glowing hues to love-tales. Sea and land are hidden within his water and clay,[58] A hundred new worlds are concealed in his heart. Ere tulips blossomed in his brain There was heard no note of joy or grief. 700 His music breathes o’er us a wonderful enchantment, His pen draws a mountain with a single hair. His thoughts dwell with the moon and the stars, He creates beauty in that which is ugly and strange. He is a Khizr, and amidst his darkness is the Fountain of Life:[59] 705 All things that exist are made more living by his tears. Heavily we go, like raw novices, Stumbling on the way to the goal. His nightingale hath played a tune And laid a plot to beguile us, 710 That he may lead us into Life’s Paradise, And that Life’s bow may become a full circle.