 | Collected poems |  |
245
AN EASTERN APOLOGUE
The initials “E. H. P.” are those of the eminent (and ill-fated)
Orientalist, Professor Palmer. As my lines entirely
owed their origin to his translations from Zoheir, I sent them
to him. He was indulgent enough to praise them warmly.
It is true he found anachronisms; but as he said that these
would cause no serious disturbance to orthodox Persians, I
concluded I had succeeded in my little pastiche, and, with
his permission, inscribed it to him. I wish now that it had
been a more worthy tribute to one of the most erudite and
versatile scholars this age has seen.
The initials “E. H. P.” are those of the eminent (and ill-fated) Orientalist, Professor Palmer. As my lines entirely owed their origin to his translations from Zoheir, I sent them to him. He was indulgent enough to praise them warmly. It is true he found anachronisms; but as he said that these would cause no serious disturbance to orthodox Persians, I concluded I had succeeded in my little pastiche, and, with his permission, inscribed it to him. I wish now that it had been a more worthy tribute to one of the most erudite and versatile scholars this age has seen.
(TO E. H. P.)
Melik the Sultán, tired and wan,
Nodded at noon on his diván.
Nodded at noon on his diván.
Beside the fountain lingered near
Jamíl the bard, and the vizier—
Jamíl the bard, and the vizier—
Old Yúsuf, sour and hard to please;
Then Jamíl sang, in words like these.
Then Jamíl sang, in words like these.
Slim is Butheina—slim is she
As boughs of the Aráka tree!
As boughs of the Aráka tree!
“Nay,” quoth the other, teeth between,
“Lean, if you will,—I call her lean.”
“Lean, if you will,—I call her lean.”
Sweet is Butheina—sweet as wine,
With smiles that like red bubbles shine!
With smiles that like red bubbles shine!
“True,—by the Prophet!” Yúsuf said.
“She makes men wander in the head!”
“She makes men wander in the head!”
246
Dear is Butheina—ah! more dear
Than all the maidens of Kashmeer!
Than all the maidens of Kashmeer!
“Dear,” came the answer, quick as thought,
“Dear . . and yet always to be bought.”
“Dear . . and yet always to be bought.”
So Jamíl ceased. But still Life's page
Shows diverse unto Youth and Age:
Shows diverse unto Youth and Age:
And—be the song of ghouls or gods—
Time, like the Sultán, sits . . and nods.
Time, like the Sultán, sits . . and nods.
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