176
THE QUATRAINS OF
261.
O turn away those roguish eyes of thine!
Be still! seek not my peace to undermine!
Thou say'st, "Look not." I might as well essay
To slant my goblet, and not spill my wine.
262.
In taverns better far commune with Thee,
Than pray in mosques, and fail Thy face to see!
O first and last of all Thy creatures Thou;
'Tis Thine to burn, and Thine to cherish me!
263.
To wise and worthy men your life devote,
But from the worthless keep your walk remote;
Dare to take poison from a sage's hand,
But from a fool refuse an antidote.
261. N. Line 4, a proverb denoting an impossibility.
262. C. L. N. A. B. I. J. This is clearly an address to the Deity.
