Last night, as I reeled from the tavern door,
I saw a sage, who a great wine-jug bore;
I said, «O Shaikh, have you no shame?» Said he,
«Allah hath boundless mercy in his store.»
284. C. L. N. A. I. J. Sar mast, a compound, hence izafat omitted. Saboyey, hamza (for conjunctive ya) followed by ya i tankir. See Lumsden, ii. 269.
Life's fount is wine, Khizir its guardian,
I, like Elias, find it where I can,
'Tis sustenance for heart and spirit too,
Allah himself calls wine «a boon to man.»
285. C. L. N. A. I. J. Koran, ii. 216. Elias discovered the water of life.
Though wine is banned, yet drink, for ever drink!
By day and night, with strains of music drink!
Where'er thou lightest on a cup of wine,
Spill just one drop, and take the rest and drink!
286. C. L. N. A. I. J. To spill a drop is a sign of liberality.—Nicolas.