ON LOVE[39]

I never knew a sprightly fair
That was not dear to me,
And freely I my heart could share,
With every one I see.

It is not this or that alone
On whom my choice would fall,
I do not more incline to one
Than I incline to all.

The circle's bounding line are they,
Its centre is my heart,
My ready love the equal ray
That flows to every part.

Abou Aly.

[39] Abou Aly flourished in Egypt about the year 530, and was equally celebrated as a mathematician and as a poet.