A tavern which each moment takes a life as pleasure’s pay is earth; A glass which for a thousand souls doth sell each drop of spray is earth. The world’s a Magian that adores the flame of power and fortune high; If thou should brightly shine, a moth about thy taper’s ray is earth. Anon one is, anon is not--thus ever runs the course of time; From end to end a warning-fraught, a strange, romantic lay is earth, ’Twixt sense and frenzy ’tis indeed right hard to draw the sund’ring line, Ah me! if understanding’s wise, demented sooth alway is earth. The desolation of the world beside its weal is truth itself; Just as prosperity it seems, so ruin and decay is earth. How many Khusrevs and Jemshīds have come, and from its bower have passed! A theatre that vieweth many and many an act and play is earth. Ziyā, a thousand caravans of wise men through its realms have passed; But yet not one can tell its tale, and all unknown this day is earth. _Ziyā Beg._ ON A BEYT OF MAHMŪD NEDĪM PACHA Heart! heart! how long shall last this sorrow, anguish, and dismay? All things upon earth’s ruin-cumbered waste must needs decay. What was the splendor of Jemshīd? where Khusrev and where Key? Hold fast the goblet and the wine, let chance not fleet away! “Our coming to this world is one; man must reflect, survey; Care must one banish, and look out for calm and quiet aye.” Be he Khusrev, or Rustem, or Nerīmān, or Jemshīd, Or be he beggar; be Islām or heathenesse his creed; A few days in earth’s inn a guest is he, then must he speed: Something to render gay that time is surely wisdom’s need. “Our coming to this world is one; man must reflect, survey; Care must one banish, and look out for calm and quiet aye.” When viewed with understanding’s eye, the mote hath no repose; The world must thus be imaged for exemption from its woes: Of my coming and my going it no lasting picture shows-- That a departure surely is which no returning knows. “Our coming to this world is one; man must reflect, survey; Care must one banish, and look out for calm and quiet aye.” Events the workings of the Lord Most High make manifest; Being the mirror is in which the Absolute’s exprest; He who this mystery perceives in every state is blest; The exit of each one who enters earth decreed doth rest. “Our coming to this world is one; man must reflect, survey; Care must one banish, and look out for calm and quiet aye.” See that thou grievest not thyself with sorrows all unwise; ’Tis need all pleasure to enjoy as far as in thee lies; Alike is he who lives in joy and he whom trouble tries; If thou be prudent, ne’er thine opportunities despise. “Our coming to this world is one; man must reflect, survey; Care must one banish, and look out for calm and quiet aye.”