首页 >出版文学> The Poems of Goethe>第12章
  Merelytobringyouhome,madehalfofmyhappinesscertainButyounowmakeitcomplete!Mayeveryblessingbeyours,then!
  Thenthemaidenlook’dontheyouthwithheartfeltemotion,Andavoidednotkissorembrace,thesummitofrapture,Whentheyalsoaretothelovingthelong-wish’d-forpledgesOfapproachingblissinalifewhichnowseemstothemendless。
  Thenthepastortoldtheothersthewholeofthestory。
  Butthemaidencameandgracefullybento’erthefather,Kissingthewhilehishand,whichhetodrawbackattempted。
  Andshesaid:——Iamsurethatyouwillforgivethesurprisedone,Firstforhertearsofsorrow,andthenforhertearsoftruerapture。
  Oforgivetheemotionsbywhichtheybothhavebeenprompted,Andletmefullyenjoytheblissthathasnowbeenvouchsafedme!
  Letthefirstvexation,whichmyconfusiongaveriseto,Alsobethelast!ThelovingservicewhichlatelyWasbytheservantpromised,shallnowbythedaughterberender’d。
  Andthefather,histearsconcealing,straightwayembracedher。
  Lovinglycamethemotherinturn,andheartilykiss’dher,Warmlyshakingherhand。andsilentlywepttheytogether。
  Theninahastymanner,thegoodandsensiblepastorSeizedthehandofthefather,hiswedding-ringofffromhisfingerDrawingnoteasilythough。soplumpwasthememberthatheldit
  Thenhetookthemother’sring,andbetroth’dthetwochildren,Saying:——Oncemoremayitbethesegoldenhoops’destinationFirmlytofastenabondaltogetherresemblingtheoldone!
  Forthisyouthisdeeplyimbuedwithloveforthemaiden,Andthemaidenconfessesthatshefortheyouthhasaliking。
  Therefore,Inowbetrothyou,andwishyouallblessingshereafter,Withtheparents’consent,andwithourfriendhereasawitness。
  Andtheneighbourbentforward,andaddedhisownbenediction。
  Butwhentheclergymanplacedthegoldringonthehandofthemaiden,Hewithastonishmentsawtheonewhichalreadywasonit,AndwhichHermannbeforeatthefountainhadanxiouslynoticed。
  WhereuponhespokeinwordsatoncefriendlyandjestingWhat!Youaretwiceengagingyourself?IhopethatthefirstoneMaynotappearatthealtar,unkindlyforbiddingthebannsthere!
  Butshesaidinreply:——OletmedevotebutonemomentTothismournfulremembrance!Forwelldidthegoodyouthdeserveit,Who,whendeparting,presentedthering,butneverreturn’dhome。
  Allwasbyhimforeseen,whenfreedom’sloveofasudden,Andadesiretoplayhispartinthenew-foundExistence,DrovehimtogotoParis,whereprisonanddeathwerehisportion。
  ’Farewell,’saidhe,’Igo。forallthingsonearthareinmotionAtthismoment,andallthingsappearinastateofdisunion。
  Fundamentallawsinthesteadiestcountriesareloosen’d,Andpossessionsarepartedfromthosewhousedtopossessthem,Friendsarepartedfromfriends,andloveispartedfromlovetoo。
  Inowleaveyouhere,andwhetherIevershallseeyouHereagain,——whocantell?Perchancethesewordswillourlastbe。
  Manisastrangerhereuponearth,theproverbinformsus。
  Everypersonhasnowbecomemoreastrangerthanever。
  Oursthesoilisnolonger。ourtreasuresarefastflyingfromus。
  Allthesacredoldvesselsofgoldandsilveraremelted,Allismoving,asthoughtheold-fashion’dworldwouldrollbackwardsIntochaosandnight,inorderanewtobefashion’d。
  Youofmyhearthavepossession,andifweshalleverhere-afterMeetagainoverthewreckoftheworld,itwillbeasnewcreatures,Allremodell’dandfreeandindependentoffortune。
  Forwhatfetterscanbinddownthosewhosurvivesuchaperiod!
  Butifwearedestinednottoescapefromthesedangers,IfweareneveragaintoembraceeachotherwithrapturesOthenfondlykeepinyourthoughtsmyhoveringimage,Thatyoumaybepreparedwithlikecourageforgoodandillfortune!
  Ifanewhomeoranewallianceshouldchancetoallureyou,Thenenjoywiththankswhateveryourdestinyoffers,Purelylovingtheloving,andgratefultohimwhothuslovesyou。
  Butrememberalwaystotreadwithacircumspectfootstep,Forthefreshpangsofasecondlosswillbehindyoubelurking。
  Deemeachdayassacred。butvaluenotlifeanyhigherThananyotherpossession,forallpossessionsarefleeting。’
  Thushespoke。andthenobleyouthandIpartedforever:
  MeanwhileIev’rythinglost,andathousandtimesthoughtofhiswarning。
  OncemoreIthinkofhiswords,nowthatloveissweetlypreparingHappinessformeanew,andthebrightestofhopesisunfolding。
  Pardonme,dearestfriend,fortremblinge’enatthemomentWhenIamclaspingyourarm!Forthus,onfirstlanding,thesailorFanciesthateventhesolidgroundisshakingbeneathhim。
  Thusshespoke,andsheplacedtheringsbythesideofeachother。
  Butthebridegroomanswer’d,withnobleandmanlyemotionAllthefirmer,amidsttheuniversaldisruption,Be,Dorothea,ourunion!We’llshowourselvesboldandenduring,Firmlyholdourown,andfirmlyretainourpossessions。
  Forthemanwhoinwav’ringtimesisinclinedtobewav’ringOnlyincreasestheevil,andspreadsitwiderandwider。
  Butthemanoffirmdecisiontheuniversefashions。
  ’TisnotbecomingtheGermanstofurtherthisfearfulcommotion,Andinadditiontowaveruncertainlyhitherandthither。
  ’Thisisourown!’weoughttosay,andsotomaintainit!
  FortheworldwilleverapplaudthoseresolutenationsWhoforGodandtheLaw,theirwives,andparents,andchildrenStruggle,andfallwhencontendingagainstthefoemantogether。
  Youaremine。andnowwhatismine,isminemorethanever。
  NotwithanxietywillIpreserveit,ortimidlyuseit,Butwithcourageandstrength。AndiftheenemythreatenNoworhereafter,I’llholdmyselfready,andreachdownmyweapons。
  IfIknowthatthehouseandmyparentsbyyouareprotected,Ishallexposemybreasttotheenemy,voidofallterror。
  Andifallothersthoughtthus,thenmightagainstmightshouldbemeasured,Andintheearlyprospectofpeaceweshouldallberejoicing。
  1796?——
  WEST-EASTERNDIVAN——
  Whothesongwouldunderstand,Needsmustseekthesong’sownland。
  Whotheminstrelunderstand,Needsmustseektheminstrel’sland——
  THEPoemscomprisedinthiscollectionarewritteninthePersianstyle,andaregreatlyadmiredbyOrientalscholars,forthetruthfulnesswithwhichtheEasternspiritofpoetryisreproducedbytheWesternminstrel。Theywerechieflycomposedbetweentheyears1814and1819,andfirstgiventotheworldinthelatteryear。Ofthetwelvebooksintowhichtheyaredivided,thatofSuleikawillprobablybeconsideredthebest,fromthemanygracefullove-songswhichitcontains。ThefollowingisHanoi’saccountoftheDivan,andmaywellserveasasubstituteforanythingIcouldsayrespectingit:——
  ItcontainsopinionsandsentimentsontheEast,expressedinaseriesofrichcantosandstanzasfullofsweetnessandspirit,andallthisasenchantingasaharememittingthemostdeliciousandrareperfumes,andbloomingwithexquisitely-lovelynymphswitheyebrowspaintedblack,eyespiercingasthoseoftheantelope,armswhiteasalabaster,andofthemostgracefulandperfectly-formedshapes,whiletheheartofthereaderbeatsandgrowsfaint,asdidthatofthehappyGaspardDebaran,theclown,who,whenonthehigheststepofhisladder,wasenabledtopeepintotheSeraglioofConstantinople——thatrecessconcealedfromtheinspectionofman。SometimesalsothereadermayimaginehimselfindolentlystretchedonacarpetofPersiansoftness,luxuriouslysmokingtheyellowtobaccoofTurkistanthroughalongtubeofjessamineandamber,whileablackslavefanshimwithafanofpeacock’sfeathers,andalittleboypresentshimwithacupofgenuineMocha。Goethehasputtheseenchantingandvoluptuouscustomsintopoetry,andhisversesaresoperfect,soharmonious,sotasteful,sosoft,thatitseemsreallysurprisingthatheshouldeverhavebeenabletohavebroughttheGermanlanguagetothisstateofsuppleness。Thecharmofthebookisinexplicable。itisavotivenosegaysentfromtheWesttotheEast,composedofthemostpreciousandcuriousplants:redroses,hortensiaslikethebreastofaspotlessmaiden,purpledigitalislikethelongfingerofaman,fantasticallyformedranunculi,andinthemidstofall,silentandtastefullyconcealed,atuftofGermanviolets。ThisnosegaysignifiesthattheWestistiredofthinandicy-coldspirituality,andseekswarmthinthestrongandhealthybosomoftheEast。
  TranslationsareheregivenofupwardsofsixtyofthebestPoemsembracedintheDivan,thenumberintheoriginalexceedingtwohundred——
  I。MORGAGNINAME。
  BOOKOFTHEMINSTREL。
  TALISMANS。
  GODisoftheeastpossess’d,Godisrulerofthewest。
  Northandsouthalike,eachlandRestswithinHisgentlehand——
  HE,theonlyrighteousone,Willsthatrighttoeachbedone。
  ’MongstHishundredtitles,then,Highestpraisedbethis!——Amen——
  ERRORseekethtodeceiveme,Thouartabletoretrieveme。
  BothinactionandinsongKeepmycoursefromgoingwrong。
  1819。*——
  THEFOURFAVOURS。
  THATArabsthroughtherealmsofspaceMaywanderon,light-hearted,GreatAllahhath,toalltheirrace,Fourfavoursmeetimparted。
  Theturbanfirst——thatornamentAllregalcrownsexcelling。
  Alightandever-shiftingtent,Whereintomakeourdwelling。
  Asword,which,morethanrocksandwallsDothshieldus,brightlyglistening。
  Asongthatprofitsandenthrall,Forwhichthemaidsarelist’ning!
  1814——
  DISCORD。
  WHENbythebrookhisstrainCupidisfluting,AndontheneighboringplainMayorsdisputing,Thereturnstheearerelong,Lovingandtender,YettothenoiseasongSoonmustsurrender。
  Loudthentheflute-notesgladSound’midwar’sthunder。
  IfIgrowravingmad,Isitawonder?
  Flutessingandtrumpetsbray,Waxingyetstronger。
  If,then,mysensesstray,Wondernolonger。
  1814——
  SONGANDSTRUCTURE。
  LETtheGreekhisplasticclayMouldinhumanfashion,WhilehisowncreationmayWakehisglowingpassion。
  ButitisourjoytocourtGreatEuphrates’torrent,HereandthereatwilltosportIntheWat’rycurrent。
  Quench’dIthusmyspirit’sflame,Songshadsoonresounded。
  WaterdrawnbybardswhosefamePureis,mayberounded。
  1819。*
  Thisorientalbeliefinthepowerofthepuretoroll-upwaterintoacrystalhailismadethefoundationoftheInterestingPariahLegend,thatwillbefoundelsewhereamongsttheBallads。——
  II。HAFISNAME。
  BOOKOFHAFIS。
  SPIRITletusbridegroomcall,Andthewordthebride。
  KnownthisweddingistoallWhohaveHafistried。
  THEUNLIMITED。
  THATthoucan’tneverend,dothmaketheegreat,Andthatthoune’erbeginnest,isthyfate。
  Thysongischangefulasyonstarryframe,Endandbeginningevermorethesame。
  Andwhatthemiddlebringeth,butcontainsWhatwasatfirst,andwhatatlastremains。
  Thouartofjoythetrueandminstrel-source,Fromtheepourswaveonwavewithceaselessforce。
  Amouththat’sayepreparedtokiss,Abreastwhenceflowsalovingsong,Athroatthatfindsnodraughtamiss,Anopenheartthatknowsnowrong。
  Andwhatthoughalltheworldshouldsink!
  Hafis,withthee,alonewiththeeWillIcontend!joy,misery,Theportionofustwainshallbe。
  Liketheetolove,liketheetodrink,——
  Thisbemypride,——this,lifetome!
  Now,Song,withthineownfirebesung,——
  Forthouartolder,thoumoreyoung!
  1817。*——
  TOHAFIS。
  HAFIS,straighttoequalthee,Onewouldstriveinvain。
  ThoughashipwithmajestyCleavesthefoamingmain,FeelsitssailsswellhaughtilyAsitonwardhiesCrush’dbyocean’ssterndecree,Wreckeditstraightwaylies。
  Tow’rdthee,songs,light,graceful,free,Mountwithcoolinggush。
  Thentheirglowconsumethme,Aslikefiretheyrush。
  YetathoughtwithecstasyHathmycouragemoved。
  InthelandofmelodyIhavelivedandloved。
  1815——
  III。USCHKNAME。
  BOOKOFLOVE。
  THETYPES。
  LIST,andinmemorybearThesesixfondlovingpair。
  Love,whenaroused,kepttrueRustanandRad!
  StrangersapproachfromfarJosephandSuleika。
  Love,voidofhope,isinFerhadandSchirin。
  BornforeachotherareMedschnunandLily。
  Loving,thougholdandgrey,DschemilsawBoteinah。
  Love’ssweetcapriceanon,BrownmaidandSolomon!
  Ifthoudostmarkthemwell,Strongerthylovewillswell。
  1817。*
  BrownmaidistheQueenofSheba。——
  ONEPAIRMORE。
  LOVEisindeedagloriousprize!
  Whatfairerguerdonmeetsoureyes?——
  Thoughneitherwealthnorpowerarethine,Averyherothoudostshine。
  Asoftheprophet,theywilltell,WamikandAsia’staleaswell——
  They’lltellnotofthem,——they’llbutgiveTheirnames,whichnowareallthatlive。
  Thedeedstheydid,thetoilstheyprovedNomortalknows!ButthattheylovedThisknowwe。Here’sthestorytrueOfWamikandofAsiatoo。
  1827。*——
  LOVE’stormentssoughtaplaceofrest,Whereallmightdrearandlonelybe。
  Theyfounderelongmydesertbreast,Andnestledinitsvacancy。
  1827。*——
  IV。TEFKIRNAME。
  BOOKOFCONTEMPLATION。
  FIVETHINGS。
  WHATmakestimeshorttome?
  Activity!
  Whatmakesitlongandspiritless?
  ’Tisidleness!
  Whatbringsustodebt?
  Todelayandforget!
  Whatmakesussucceed?
  DecisionwithspeedHowtofametoascend?
  Oneselftodefend!
  1814——
  FORwomandueallowancemake!
  Form’dofacrookedribwasshe,——
  ByHeavenshecouldnotstraightenedbe。
  Attempttobendher,andshe’llbreak。
  Ifleftalone,morecrookedgrowsmadam。
  Whatwellcouldbeworse,mygoodfriend,Adam?——
  Forwomandueallowancemake。
  ’Tweregrievous,ifthyribshouldbreak!
  1819。*——
  FIRDUSISpeaks。
  OHworld,withwhatbasenessandguiltthouartrife!
  Thounurtures,trainest,andillestthewhile。
  HeonlywhomAllahdothblesswithhissmileIstrain’dandisnurturedwithrichesandlife。
  1819。*——
  SULEIKASpeaks。
  THEmirrortellsme,Iamfair!
  Thousayest,togrowoldmyfatewillbe。
  NoughtinGod’spresencechangethe’er,——
  Lovehim,forthisonemoment,then,inme。
  1819。*——
  V。RENDSCHNAME
  BOOKOFGLOOM。
  ITisafaultoneselftopraise,Andyet’tisdonebyeachwhosedeedsarekind。
  Andifthere’snodeceitinwhathesays,Thegoodwestillasgoodshallfind。
  Let,then,yefools,thatwisemantasteOfjoy,whofanciesthatheswise,Thathe,afoollikeyou,maywasteTh’insipidthankstheworldsupplies。
  1816——
  VI。HIKMETNAME。
  BOOKOFPROVERBS。
  CALLonthepresentdayandnightfornought,Savewhatbyyesterdaywasbrought——
  THEseaisflowingever,Thelandretainsitnever——
  BEstirring,man,whileyetthedayisclear。
  ThenightwhennonecanworkfastDrawethnear——
  WHENtheheavy-ladensigh,Deeminghelpandhopegoneby,Oft,withhealingpowerisheard,Comfort-fraught,akindlyword——
  Howvastismineinheritance,howgloriousandsublime!
  Fortimemineownpossessionis,thelandItillistime!——
  UNWARYsaith,——ne’erlivedamanmoretrue。
  Thedeepestheart,thehighestheadheknew,——
  Inev’ryplaceandtimethou’ltfindavailingUprightness,judgment,kindlinessunfailing——
  THOUGHthebardswhomtheOrientsunbathbless’dAregreaterthanwewhodwellinthewest,Yetinhatredofthosewhomourequalswefind。
  Inthiswe’renotintheleastbehind——
  WOULDweletourenvyburst,Feeditshungerfullyfirst!
  Tokeepourproperplace,We’llshowourbristlesmore。
  Withhawksmenallthingschase,Exceptthesavageboar——
  BYthosewhothemselvesmorebravelyhavefoughtAhero’spraisewillbejoyfullytold。
  TheworthofmancanonlybetaughtBythosewhohavesuffer’dbothheatandcold——
  WHEREFOREistruthsofarfromoureyes,Buriedasthoughinadistantland?
  Noneatthepropermomentarewise!
  Couldtheyproperlyunderstand,Truthwouldappearinherownsweetguise,Beauteous,gentle,andcloseathand——
  WHYtheseinquiriesmake,Wherecharitymayflow?
  Castinthefloodthycake,——
  Itseater,whowillknow?——
  ONCEwhenIaspiderhadkill’d,Thenmethought:wastrightorwrong?
  Thatwebothtothesetimesshouldbelong,ThishadGodinHisgoodnesswilled——
  MOTLEYthiscongregationis,for,lo!
  Atthecommunionkneelbothfriendandfoe——
  IFthecountryI’mtoshow,Thoumustonthehousetopgo——
  AMANwithhouseholdstwainNe’erfindsattentionmeet,AhousewhereintwowomenreignIsne’erkeptcleanandneat——
  BLESS,thoudreadCreator,Blessthishumblefane。
  Manmaybuildthemgreater,——
  Morethey’llnotcontain——
  LETthishouse’sgloryrise,Handedtofaragesdown,Andthesonhishonourprize。
  Asthefatherhisrenown——
  O’ERtheMediterraneanseaProudlyhaththeOrientsprung。
  WholovesHafisandknowshim,heKnowswhatCaldronhathsung——
  IFtheassthatboretheSaviourWeretoMeccadriven,heWouldnotalter,butwouldbeStillanassinhisbehavior——
  THEfloodofpassionstormswithfruitlessstrife’Gainsttheunvanquishedsolidland——
  Itthrowspoeticpearlsuponthestrand,Andthusisgain’dtheprizeoflife——
  WHENsomanyminstrelsthereare,Howitpainsme,alas,toknowit!
  Whofromtheearthdrivespoetryfar?
  Whobutthepoet!——
  VII。TIMURNAME。
  BOOKOFTIMUR。
  THEWINTERANDTIMUR。
  SothewinternowclosedroundthemWithresistlessfury。ScatteringOverallhisbreathsoicy,HeinflamedeachwindthatblitheToassailthemangrily。
  OverthemhegavedominionTohisfrost-unsharpenedtempests。
  DowntoTimur’scouncilwenthe,Andwiththreat’ningvoiceaddress’dhim:——
  Softly,slowly,wretchedbeing!
  Live,thetyrantofinjustice。
  Butshallheartsbescorch’dmuchlongerBythyflames,——consumebeforethem?
  IfamongsttheevilspiritsThouartone,——good!I’manother。
  Thouagreybeardart——soIam。
  Landandmenwemaketostiffen。
  ThouartMars!AndISaturnus,——
  Bothareevil-workingplanets,Whenunited,horror-fraught。
  Thoudostkillthesoul,thoufreezesE’entheatmosphere。stillcolderIsmybreaththanthinewasever。
  ThywildarmiesvexthefaithfulWithathousandvaryingtorments。
  Well!GodgrantthatIdiscoverEvenworse,beforeIperish!
  AndbyGod,I’llgivetheenone。
  LetGodhearwhatnowItellthee!
  Yes,byGod!fromDeath’scoldclutchesNought,Ogreybeard,shallprotectthee,Notthehearth’sbroadcoalfire’sardour,NotDecember’sbrightestflame。
  1814——
  TOSULEIKA。
  FITTINGperfumestoprepare,Andtoraisethyrapturehigh,MustathousandrosebudsfairFirstinfierytormentsdie。
  Onesmallflask’scontentstoglean,Whosesweetfragranceayemaylive,Slenderasthyfingere’en,Mustaworlditstreasuresgive。
  Yes,aworldwherelifeismoving,Which,withimpulsefullandstrong,CouldforbodetheBulbul’sloving,Sweet,andspirit-stirringsong。
  Sincetheythushaveswell’dourjoy,Shouldsuchtormentsgrieveus,then?
  DothnotTimur’sruledestroyMyriadsoulsoflivingmen?
  1815。*——
  VIII。SULEIKANAME。
  BOOKOFSULEIKA。
  ONCE,methought,inthenighthourscold,ThatIsawthemooninmysleep。
  ButassoonasIwaken’d,beholdUnawaresrosethesunfromthedeep。
  THATSuleika’slovewassostrongForJoseph,needcausenosurprise。
  Hewasyoung,youthpleaseththeeyes,——
  Hewasfair,theysay,beyondmeasureFairwasshe,andsogreatwastheirpleasure。
  Butthatthou,whoawaitedstmelong,Youthfulglancesoffiredostthrowme,Soonwiltblessme,thylovenowdostshowme,Thisshallmyjoyousnumbersproclaim,TheeIforeverSuleikashallname。
  1815——
  HATEM。
  NOToccasionmakesthethief。
  She’sthegreatestofthewhole。
  ForLove’srelics,tomygrief,Frommyachingheartshestole。
  Shehathgivenittothee,——
  Allthejoymylifehadknown,Sothat,inmypoverty,LifeIseekfromtheealone。
  YetcompassiongreetsmestraightInthelustreofthineeye,AndIblessmynewbornfate,AswithinthinearmsIlie。
  1815——
  SULEIKA。
  THEsunappears!Aglorioussight!
  Thecrescent-moonclingsroundhimnow。
  Whatcouldthiswondrouspairunite?
  Howtoexplainthisriddle?How?
  HATEM。
  Maythisourjoy’sforeboderprove!
  InitIviewmyselfandthee。
  Thoucalmestmethysun,mylove,——
  Come,mysweetmoon,clingthouroundme!
  1815——
  LOVEforlove,andmomentssweet,Lipsreturningkissforkiss,Wordforword,andeyesthatmeet。
  Breathforbreath,andblissforbliss。
  Thusateve,andthusthemorrow!
  Yetthoufeeblest,atmylay,Eversomehalf-hiddensorrow。
  CouldIJoseph’sgracesborrow,AllthybeautyI’drepay!
  1815——
  HATEM。
  O,SAY,’neathwhatcelestialsignThedaydothlie,Whenne’eragainthisheartofmineAwaywillfly?
  Ande’enthoughfledwhatthoughtdivine!
  Wouldnearmelie?——
  Onthesoftcouch,onwhosesweetshrineMyheartnearherswilllie!
  1816——
  HATEM。
  HOLDme,locks,securelycaughtInthecircleofherface!
  Dearbrownserpents,IhavenoughtTorepaythisactofgrace,Saveaheartwhoselovene’erdies,Throbbingwithaye-youthfulglow。
  ForaragingETAlies’Neathitsveilofmistandsnow。
  Yondermountain’sstatelybrowThou,likemorningbeams,dostshame。
  OnceagainfeelsHatemnowSpring’ssoftbreathandsummer’sflame。
  Onemorebumper!Filltheglass。
  ThislastcupIpledgetothee!——
  Bymineashesifshepass,Heconsumed,she’llsay,forme。
  1815——
  THELOVINGONESPEAKS。
  ANDwhereforesendsnotThehorseman-captainHisheraldshitherEachday,unfailing?
  Yethathhehorses,Hewriteswell。
  HewaitethTali,AndNeskiknowsheTowritewithbeautyOnsilkentablets。
  I’ddeemhimpresent,HadIhiswords。
  ThesickOnewillnot,WillnotrecoverFromhersweetsorrow。
  She,whenshehearethThathertrueloverGrowswell,fallssick。
  1819。*——
  THELOVINGONEAGAIN。
  WRITESheinNeski,Faithfullyspeakshe。
  WritesheinTali,Joytogive,seekshe:
  Writesheineither,Good!——forheloves!
  1819。*——
  THESEtuftedbranchesfairObserve,mylovedone,well!
  AndseethefruitstheybearIngreenandpricklyshell!
  They’vehungroll’dup,tillnow,Unconsciouslyandstill。
  Aloosely-wavingboughDothrockthematitswill。
  Yet,ripeningfromwithin。
  Thekernelbrownswellsfast。
  Itseekstheairtowin,Itseeksthesunatlast。
  Withjoyitburstsitsthrall,Theshellmustneedsgiveway。
  ’TisthusmynumbersfallBeforethyfeet,eachday。
  1815——
  SULEIKA。
  WHATisbythisstirreveal’d?
  DoththeEastgladtidingsbring?
  Formyheart’sdeepwoundsareheal’dByhismildandcoolingwing。
  Hethedustwithsportsdothmeet,Andingentlecloudletschase。
  Tothevineleaf’ssaferetreatDrivestheinsects’happyrace,Coolstheseburningcheeksofmine,Checksthesun’sfierceglowAdam,Kisses,asheflies,thevine,Flauntingoverhillandplain。
  AndhiswhisperssoftconveyThousandgreetingsfrommyfriend。
  Erethesehillsownnight’sdarksway,Kissesgreetme,withoutend。
  Thuscanstthoustillonwardgo,Servingfriendandmournertoo!
  There,whereloftyrampartsglow,SoonthelovedoneshallIview。
  Ah,whatmakestheheart’struthknown,——
  Love’ssweetbreath,——anewbornlife,——
  LearnIfromhismouthalone,Inhisbreathaloneisrife!
  1815——
  THESUBLIMETYPE。
  THEsun,whomGreciansHelmscall,Hisheavenlypathwithpridedothtread,And,tosubduetheworld’swideall,Looksround,beneathhim,higho’erhead。
  Heseesthefairestgoddesspine,Heaven’schild,thedaughteroftheclouds,——
  Forheraloneheseemstoshine。
  Intremblinggriefhisformheshrouds,Carelessforalltherealmsofbliss,——
  Herstreamingtearsmoreswiftlyflow:
  Foreverypearlhegivesakiss,Andchangethintojoyherwoe。
  Shegazethupwardfixedly,Anddeeplyfeelshisglanceofmight,While,stampedwithhisowneffigy,Eachpearlwouldrangeitselfaright。
  Thuswreath’dwithbows,withhuesthusgrac’d,Withgladnessbeamsherfacesofair,Whilehe,tomeether,makethhaste,Andyet,alas!canreachherne’er。
  So,bytheharshdecreeofFate,Thoumodestfromme,dearestone。
  AndwereIHelmse’en,theGreat,Whatwouldavailhischariot-throne?
  1815——
  SULEIKA。
  ZEPHYR,forthyhumidwing,Oh,howmuchIenvythee!
  ThoutohimcansttidingsbringHowourpartingsaddensme!
  Inmybreast,ayearningstillAsthypinionswave,appears。
  Flow’rsandeyes,andwood,andhillAtthybreatharesteepedintears。
  Yetthymildwinggivesrelief,Soothestheachingeyelid’spain。
  Ah,Ielsehaddiedforgrief,Himne’erhopedtoseeagain。
  Tomylove,then,quickrepair,Whispersoftlytohisheart。
  Yet,togivehimpain,beware,Normybosom’spangsimpart。
  Tellhim,butinaccentscoy,Thathislovemustbemylife。
  Both,withfeelingsfraughtwithjoy,Inhispresencewillberife。
  1815——
  THEREUNION。
  CANitbe!ofstarsthestar,DoIpresstheetomyheart?
  Inthenightofdistancefar,Whatdeepgulf,whatbittersmart!
  Yes,’tisthou,indeed,atlast,Ofmyjoysthepartnerdear!
  Mindful,though,ofsorrowspast,Ithepresentneedsmustfear。
  Whenthestill-unfashion’dearthLayonGod’seternalbreast,Heordain’ditshourofbirth,Withcreativejoypossess’d。
  Thenaheavysigharose,WhenHespakethesentence:——Be!
  AndtheAll,withmightythroes,Burstintoreality。
  Andwhenthuswasbornthelight,Darknessnearitfear’dtostay,AndtheelementswithmightFledoneverysideaway。
  Eachonsomefar-distanttrace,Eachwithvisionswildemploy,Numb,inboundlessrealmofspace,Harmonyandfeeling-void。
  Dumbwasall,allstillanddead,Forthefirsttime,Godalone!
  ThenHeform’dthemorning-red,Whichsoonmadeitskindnessknown:
  Itunravelledfromthewaste,Brightandglowingharmony,Andoncemorewithlovewasgrac’dWhatcontendedformerly。
  Andwithearnest,noblestrife,EachitsownPeculiarsought。
  Backtofull,unboundedlifeSightandfeelingsoonwerebrought。
  Wherefore,if’tisdone,exploreHow?whygivethemanner,name?
  Allahneedcreatenomore,Wehisworldourselvescanframe。
  So,withmorningpinionsbright,TothymouthwasIimpell’d。
  Stampedwiththousandsealsbynight,Star-clearisthebondfastheld。
  ParagonsonearthareweBothofgriefandjoysublime,Andasecondsentence:——Be!
  Partsusnotasecondtime。
  1815——
  SULEIKA。
  WITHwhatinwardjoy,sweetlay,Ithymeaninghavedescried!
  Lovinglythouseem’sttosayThatI’meverbyhisside。
  Thatheeverthinksofme,ThathetotheabsentgivesAllhislove’ssweetecstasy,Whileforhimaloneshelives。
  Yes,themirrorwhichrevealsThee,mylovedone,ismybreast。
  Thisthebosom,wherethysealsEndlesskisseshaveimpress’d。
  Numberssweet,unsulliedtruth,Chainmedowninsympathy!
  Love’sembodiedradiantyouth,Inthegarbofpoesy!
  1819。*——
  INthousandformsmaystthouattemptsurprise,Yet,all-beloved-one,straightknowIthee。
  Thoumaystwithmagicveilsthyfacedisguise,Andyet,all-present-one,straightknowIthee。
  Uponthecypress’purest,youthfulbud,All-beauteous-growing-one,straightknowIthee。
  Inthecanal’sunsullied,livingflood,All-captivating-one,wellknowIthee。
  Whenspreadsthewater-column,risingproud,All-sportiveone,howgladlyknowIthee。
  When,e’eninforming,istransform’dthecloud,All-figure-changing-one,thereknowIthee。
  Veilinthemeadow-carpet’sflowerycharms,All-checkered-starry-fair-one,knowIthee。
  Andifaplantextenditsthousandarms,O,all-embracing-one,thereknowIthee。
  Whenonthemountiskindledmorn’ssweetlight,Straightway,all-gladdening-one,saluteIthee,Thearchofheaveno’erheadgrowspureandbright,——
  All-heart-expanding-one,thenbreatheIthee。
  Thatwhichmyinward,outwardsenseproclaims,Thouall-instructing-one,Iknowthroughthee。
  AndifIutterAllah’shundrednames,Anamewitheachoneechoes,meantforthee。
  1819。*——
  IX。SAKENAME。
  THECONVIVIALBOOK。
  CANtheKoranfromEternitybe?
  ’Tisworthnotathought!
  CantheKoranacreation,then,be?
  Ofthat,Iknownought!
  Yetthatthebookofallbooksitmustbe,Ibelieve,asaMussulmanought。
  ThatfromEternitywine,though,mustbe,Ieverhavethought。
  That’twasordain’d,eretheAngels,tobe,Asatruthmaybetaught。
  Drinkers,howeverthesemattersmaybe,GazeonGod’sface,fearingnought。
  1815——
  YE’VEoften,forourdrunkenness,Blamedusinev’ryway,And,inabuseofdrunkenness,Enoughcanneversay。
  Men,overcomebydrunkenness,Arewonttolietillday。
  AndyetIfindmydrunkennessAllnight-timemakemestray。
  For,oh!’tisLove’ssweetdrunkennessThatmakethmeitsprey,Whichnightandday,anddayandnight,Myheartmustneedsobey,——
  Aheartthat,initsdrunkenness,Poursforthfullmanyalay,SothatnotriflingdrunkennessCandareassertitssway。
  Love,song,andwine’ssweetdrunkenness,Bynight-timeandbyday,——
  Howgod-likeisthedrunkennessThatmakethmeitsprey!
  1815——
  X。MATHALNAME。
  BOOKOFPARABLES。
  FROMheaventherefelluponthefoamingwaveAtimiddrop。thefloodwithangerroared,——
  ButGod,itsmodestboldnesstoreward,Strengthtothedropandfirmendurancegave。
  Itsformthemusselcaptivetook,Andtoitslastinggloryandrenown,Thepearlnowglistensinourmonarch’scrown,Withgentlegleamandlovinglook。
  1819。*——
  BULBUL’Ssong,throughnighthourscold,RosetoAllah’sthroneonhigh。
  Torewardhermelody,Givethheacageofgold。
  Suchacagearelimbsofmen,——
  Thoughatfirstshefeelsconfin’d,Yetwhenallshebringstomind,Straightthespiritsingsagain。
  1819。*——
  INtheKoranwithstrangedelightApeacock’sfeathermetmysight:
  Thou’rtwelcomeinthisholyplace,Thehighestprizeonearth’swideface!
  Asinthestarsofheaven,inthee,God’sgreatnessinthesmallwesee。
  Forhewhosegazewholeworldsbathbless’dHiseyehathevenhereimpress’d,Andthelightdowninbeautydress’d,Sothate’enmonarchscannothopeInsplendourwiththebirdtocope。
  Meeklyenjoythyhappylot,Andsodeservethatholyspot!
  1815——
  ALLkindsofmen,bothsmallandgreat,Afine-spunwebdelighttocreate,Andinthemiddletheytaketheirplace,Andwieldtheirscissorswithwondrousgrace。
  Butifabesomshouldsweepthatway:
  Whatamostshamefulthing,theysay,——
  They’vecrush’damightypalaceto-day。
  1815——
  ITISGOOD。
  INParadisewhilemoonbeamsplay’d,Jehovahfound,inslumberdeep,Adamfastsunk。HegentlylaidEvenearhim,——she,too,fellasleep。
  Therelaytheynow,onearth’sfairshrine,God’stwomostbeauteousthoughtsdivine——
  WhenthisHesaw,Hecried:——’TisGood!!!
  AndscarcecouldmovefromwhereHestood。
  Nowonder,thatourjoy’scompleteWhileeyeandeyeresponsivemeet,Whenthisblestthoughtofrapturemovesus——
  Thatwe’rewithHimwhotrulylovesus,AndifHecries:——Good,letitbe!
  ’Tissoforboth,itseemstome。
  Thou’rtclasp’dwithinthesearmsofmine,DearestofallGod’sthoughtsdivine!
  1815——
  XI。PARISNAME。
  BOOKOFTHEPARSEES。
  THEBEQUESTOFTHEANCIENTPERSIANFAITH。
  BRETHREN,whatbequesttoyoushouldcomeFromthelowlypoorman,goinghome,Whomyeyoungeroneswithpatiencetended,Whoselastdaysyehonour’danddefended?
  Whenweofthaveseenthemonarchride,Golduponhim,goldonev’ryside。
  Jewelsonhim,onhiscourtiersall,Thicklystrewedashailstoneswhentheyfall,Haveyee’erknownenvyatthesight?
  Andnotfeltyourgazebecomemorebright,Whenthesunwas,onthewingsofmorning,Darnawend’sunnumber’dpeaksadorning,Ashe,bow-like,rose?HoweacheyedweltOnthegloriousscene!Ifelt,Ifelt,Thousandtimes,aslife’sdaysfleetedby,Bornewithhim,thecomingone,onhigh。
  GoduponHisthronethentoproclaim,Him,thelife-fount’smightyLord,toname,Worthilytoprizethatglorioussight,AndtowanderonbeneathHislight。
  Whenthefieryorbwasalldefined,ThereIstood,asthoughindarkness,blind,Beatmybreast,myquicken’dmembersthrewOntheearth,brow-foremost,attheview。
  Letthisholy,greatbequestrewardBrotherlygood-willandkindregard:
  SOLEMNDUTY’SDAILYobservation——
  Morethanthis,itneedsnorevelation。
  Ifitsgentlehandsanew-bornoneMove,thenstraightwayturnittow’rdthesun,——
  Soulandbodydipinbathoffire!
  Theneachmorning’sfavour’twillacquire。
  Tothelivingone,committhedead,O’erthebeastletearthanddustbespread,And,sofarasmayextendyourmight,Whatyedeemimpure,concealfromsight。
  Tillyourplainstogracefulpurity,Thatthesunwithjoyyourlabourssee。
  Whenyeplant,yourtreesinrowscontrive,ForhemakestheRegulartothrive。
  E’enthefloodsthatthroughthechannelrushMustnotfailinfulnessoringush。
  AndasSenderud,frommountainhigh,Risespure,inpurenessmustitdie。
  Nottoweakenwater’sgentlefall,Carefullycleanseoutthechannelsall。
  Salamander,snake,andrush,andreed,——
  Alldestroy,——eachmonsterandeachweed。
  Ifthuspureyeearthandwaterkeep,Throughtheairthesunwillgladlypeep,Wherehe,worthilyenshrinedinspace,Workethlife,tolifegivesholygrace。
  Ye,bytoilontoilsosorelytried,Comforttake,theAllispurified。
  Andnowman,aspriest,mayboldlydareFromthestoneGod’simagetoprepare。
  Whentheflameburnsjoyouslyandbright,Limbsaresupple,radiantisthenight。
  Onthehearthwhenfirewithardourglows,Ripethesapofplantsandcreaturesgrows。
  Draggingwood,withrapturebeitdone,’Tistheseedofmanyanearthlysun。
  PluckingPambeh,gladlymayyesay:——
  This,aswick,theHolywillconvey。
  Ifyemeekly,ineachburninglamp,Seethenoblerlight’sresplendentstamp,Ne’erwillFatepreventyou,voidoffeeling,AtGod’sthroneatmorningtidefromkneeling。
  ThisisBeing’smightysignet,then,God’spureglasstoangelsandtomen。
  EachwordlispedtheHighest’spraisetosound,Ringinring,unitedthereisfound。
  FromtheshoreofSenderudascendeth,UptoDarnawenditspinionsbendeth,AsHedawns,withjoytogreetHislight,Youwithendlessblessingstorequite。
  1819。*——
  XII。CHULDNAME。
  BOOKOFPARADISE。
  THEPRIVILEGEDMEN。
  AFTERTHEBATTLEOFBADE,BENEATHTHECANOPYOFHEAVEN。
  [ThisbattlewasfoughtinthesecondyearoftheHegiraA。A。
  623,betweenthefollowersofMahomet,whonumberedthreehundredandthirteen,possessingtwohorsesandseventycamels,andthe’idolaters,’orMeccans,whoseforcesamountedtoninehundredandfifty,includingtwohundredcavalry。ThevictoryremainedwithMahomet,wholostfourteenmen,whileseventyoftheenemywereslain。AgreataccessionofstrengthensuedinconsequencetotheProphet,whopretendedthatmiracleswerewroughtinhisbehalfinthebattle,Godhavingsentangelstofightonhisside,andhavingalsomadehisarmytoappearlargertotheenemythanitreallywas——SeetheKoran,chapterviii。,andABULFEDA’SLifeofMahomet。]
  MAHOMETSpeaks。
  LETthefoemansorrowo’erhisdead,Ne’erwilltheyreturnagaintolight。
  O’erourbrethrenletnotearbeshed,Fortheydwellaboveyonspheressobright。
  AllthesevenplanetsopenthrowAlltheirmetaldoorswithmightyshock,AndtheformsofthosewelovedbelowAtthegatesofEdenboldlyknock。
  Theretheyfind,withblissne’erdream’dbefore,Gloriesthatmyflightfirstshow’dtoeye,WhenthewondroussteedmypersonboreInonesecondthroughtherealmsonhigh。
  Wisdom’strees,incypress-ordergrowing,Highupholdthegoldenapplessweet。
  Treesoflife,theirspreadingshadowsthrowing,Shadeeachblossomingplant,eachflow’ryseat。
  NowabalmyzephyrfromtheEastBringstheheavenlymaidenstothyview。
  Withtheeyethounowdosttastethefeast,Soonthesightpervadestheethroughandthrough。
  Theretheystand,toasktheethycareer:
  Mightyplans?ordangerousbloodyrout?
  Thou’rtahero,knowthey,——forThourthere,Whatahero?——Thisthey’llfathomout。
  Bythywoundssoonclearlythisisshown,Woundsthatwritethyfame’sundyingstory。
  Woundsthetruebelievermarkalone,Whenhaveperish’djoyandearthlyglory。
  Tochiosksandarborsthouartbrought,Fill’dwithcheckeredmarblecolumnsbright。
  Tothenoblegrape-juice,solace-fraught,Theytheguestwithkindlysipsinvite。
  Youth!Thou’rtwelcomemorethane’erwasyouthAllalikeareradiantandserene。
  Whenthoutak’stonetothineheartwithtruth,Ofthybandshe’llbethefriendandqueen。
  Sopreparetheeforthisplaceofrest,Nevercanitnowbechangedagain。
  Maidslikethesewillevermaketheeblest,Wineslikethesewillneverharmthybrain。
  1819——
  THEFAVOUREDBEASTS。
  OrbeaststherehavebeenchosenfourTocometoParadise,AndtherewithsaintsforevermoreTheydwellinhappywise。
  AmongstthemalltheAssstandsfirst。
  Hecomeswithjoyousstride,FortotheProphet-CityerstDidJesusonhimride。
  HalftimidnextaWolfdothcreep,TowhomMahometspakeSpoilnotthepoormanofhissheep,Therichman’sthoumaysttake。
  AndthenthebraveandfaithfulHound,Whobyhismasterkept,AndsleptwithhimtheslumberssoundThesevensleepersslept。
  Abuherrira’sCat,too,here,Purrsroundhismasterblest,ForholymustthebeastappearTheProphethathcaress’d。
  1815