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Jami - SALÁMÁN AND ABSÁL – from 03 The Story

When the Sharp-witted SAGE
Had heard these Sayings of THE SHAH, he said,
“Oh SHAH, who would not be the Slave of Lust
“Must still endure the Sorrow of no Son.
“ — Lust that makes blind the Reason; Lust that makes
“A Devil’s self seem Angel to our Eyes;
“A Cataract that, carrying havoc with it,
“Confounds the prosperous House; a Road of Mire
“Where whoso falls he rises not again;
“A Wine of which whoever tastes shall see
“Redemption’s face no more — one little Sip
“Of that delicious and unlawful Drink
“Making crave much, and hanging round the Palate
“Till it become a Ring to lead thee by
“(Putting the rope in a Vain Woman’s hand),
“Till thou thyself go down the Way of Nothing.
“For what is Woman? A Foolish, Faithless Thing
“To whom The Wise Self-subjected, himself
“Deep sinks beneath the Folly he sets up.
“A very Káfir in Rapacity;
“Clothe her a hundred Years in Gold and Jewel,
“Her Garment with Brocade of Susa braided,
“Her very Night-gear wrought in Cloth of Gold,
“Dangle her Ears with Ruby and with Pearl,
“Her House with Golden Vessels all a-blaze,
“Her Tables loaded with the Fruit of Kings,
“Ispahan Apples, Pomegranates of Yazd;
“And, be she thirsty, from a Jewell’d Cup
“Drinking the Water of the Well of Life —
“One little twist of Temper, — all you’ve done
“Goes all for Nothing. ‘Torment of my Life!’
“She cries, ‘What have you ever done for me!’ —
“Her Brow’s white Tablet--Yes — ’tis uninscrib’d
“With any Letter of Fidelity;
“Who ever read it there? Lo, in your Bosom
“She lies for Years — you turn away a moment,
“And she forgets you — worse, if as you turn
“Her Eye should light on any Younger Lover.”