Pagina 363 di 1116

Time is a haughty, jealous wight; * Today he seems dark-lowering

and tomorrow fair to sight.[FN#242]

Then I rose and seated myself at a respectful distance while the

King read what I had written, and marvelled, exclaiming, "O the

miracle, that an ape should be gifted with this graceful style

and this power of penmanship! By Allah, 'tis a wonder of

wonders!" Presently they set before the King choice wines in

flagons of glass and he drank: then he passed on the cup to me;

and I kissed the ground and drank and wrote on it:-

With fire they boiled me to loose my tongue,[FN#243] * And pain

and patience gave for fellowship: Hence comes it hands of men

upbear me high * And honey dew from lips of maid I sip!

And these also:-

Morn saith to Night, "withdraw and let me shine;" * So drain we

draughts that dull all pain and pine:[FN#244] I doubt, so fine

the glass, the wine so clear, * If 'tis the wine in glass or

glass in wine.