Poems By Richard Chenevix Trench: New ed |
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PROVERBS.
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123
PROVERBS.
TURKISH AND PERSIAN.
I
Sects seventy-two, men say, the world infest,And each and all lie hidden in thy breast.
II
One staff of Moses, slight as it appears,Will break in shivers Pharaoh's thousand spears.
III
Forget not death, O man! for thou may'st beOf one thing certain,—he forgets not thee.
IV
The world's a tavern, where to-night men swill;To-morrow brings the head-ache and the bill.
V
Speaks one of good which falls not to thy lot,He also speaks of ill which thou hast not.
VI
Boast not thy service rendered to the King;'Tis grace enough he lets thee service bring.
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VII
Lies once thy cart in quagmire overthrown,Thy path to thee by thousands will be shown.
VIII
Oh square thyself for use: a stone that mayFit in the wall, is left not in the way.
IX
Never the game has happy issue won,Which with the cotton has the fire begun.
X
The sandal tree, most sacred tree of all,Perfumes the very axe which bids it fall.
XI
Dost thou the raven for a guide invite,Count it not strange on carrion to alight.
XII
Each man has more of four things than he knows;What four are these?—sins, debts, and years, and foes.
XIII
The king but with one apple has made free,And straight his servants have cut down the tree.
XIV
Two friends will in a needle's eye repose,But the whole world is narrow for two foes.
125
XV
Rejoice not when thine enemy doth die,Thou hast not won immortal life thereby.
XVI
Be bold to bring forth fruit, though stick and stoneAt the fruit-bearing trees are flung alone.
XVII
This world is like a carcass in the way:Who eagerly throng round it, dogs are they.
XVIII
While in thy lips thy words thou dost confine,Thou art their lord: once uttered, they are thine.
XIX
Oh seize the instant time; none ever willWith waters that have past impel the mill.
XX
Boldly thy bread upon the waters throw;And if the fishes do not, God will know.
XXI
What will not time and toil?—by these a wormWill into silk a mulberry leaf transform.
XXII
There is no ointment for the wolf's sore eyes,Like clouds of dust which from the sheep arise.
126
XXIII
When what thou willest has befall'n not, stillThis help remains, what has befall'n to will.
XXIV
Inquire not if thy soul be foul or fair,But if tow'rd God its efforts striving are.
XXV
The lily with ten tongues can hold its peace;Wilt thou with one from babbling never cease?
XXVI
How shall the praise of silence best be told?To speak is silver, to hold peace is gold.
XXVII
Thy word unspoken thou canst any daySpeak, but thy spoken ne'er again unsay.
XXVIII
The world's great wheel in silence circles round,A housewife's spindle with unceasing sound.
XXIX
O babbler, couldst thou but the cause divine,Why one tongue only, but two ears are thine!
XXX
What mystic roses in thy breast will blow,If on the wind their leaves thou straightway strow?
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