Book of the Minstrel
Talismans
GOD is of the east possess’d,
God is ruler of the west;
North and south alike, each land
Rests within His gentle hand.
——-
HE, the only righteous one,
Wills that right to each be done.
‘Mongst His hundred titles, then,
Highest praised be this!—Amen.
——-
ERROR seeketh to deceive me,
Thou art able to retrieve me;
Both in action and in song
Keep my course from going wrong.
1819.* ——- THE FOUR FAVOURS.
That Arabs through the realms of space
May wander on, light-hearted,
Great Allah hath, to all their race,
Four favours meet imparted.
The turban first—that ornament
All regal crowns excelling;
A light and ever-shifting tent,
Wherein to make our dwelling;
A sword, which, more than rocks and walls
Doth shield us, brightly glistening;
A song that profits and enthrall,
For which the maids are list’ning!
1814. ——- DISCORD.
WHEN by the brook his strain
Cupid is fluting,
And on the neighboring plain
Mayors disputing,
There turns the ear ere long,
Loving and tender,
Yet to the noise a song
Soon must surrender.
Loud then the flute-notes glad
Sound ’mid war’s thunder;
If I grow raving mad,
Is it a wonder?
Flutes sing and trumpets bray,
Waxing yet stronger;
If, then, my senses stray,
Wonder no longer.
1814. ——- SONG AND STRUCTURE.
LET the Greek his plastic clay
Mould in human fashion,
While his own creation may
Wake his glowing passion;
But it is our joy to court
Great Euphrates’ torrent,
Here and there at will to sport
In the Wat’ry current.
Quench’d I thus my spirit’s flame,
Songs had soon resounded;
Water drawn by bards whose fame
Pure is, may be rounded.+
1819.* (+ This oriental belief in the power of the pure to roll-up water into a crystal hail is made the foundation of the Interesting Pariah Legend, that will be found elsewhere amongst the Ballads.) ——- II. HAFIS NAME.