198.
Rich men, who take to drink, the world defy
With shameless riot, and as heggars die;
Place in my ruby pipe some emerald hemp,
'Twill do as well to blind care's serpent eye.
199.
These fools have never burnt the midnight oil
In deep research, nor do they ever toil
To step beyond themselves, but dress them fine,
And plot of credit others to despoil.
200.
When false dawn streaks the east with cold grey line.
Pour in your cups the pure blood of the vine;
The truth, they say, tastes bitter in the mouth,
This is a token that the "Truth" is wine.
198. C. L. N. A. I. Scan af'ăyī. The emerald is supposed to have the virtue of blinding serpents.
199. C. L. N. A. I. Shámé chand: Vullers (p. 253) takes this ya to be yá i tankír; and Lumsden (ii. 269) says the presence of this letter, between a noun and its attribute, dispenses with the izáfat (?). But why not add the izáfat, and scan Shamĭyĭ?
