"Thereunto groweth the graceful vine
To cool the lips of lovers with wine,
Haste thee and bring the amethyst cup,
That happy lovers may drink it up;
And so renew their gentle play,
Taza ba taza, now ba now;
Ever delicious and new alway,
Taza ba taza, now ba now."
"Thereunto sigheth the evening gale
To freshen the cheeks which love made pale;
This is why bloometh the scented flower,
To gladden with grace love's secret bower:
Love is the zephyr that always blows,
Taza ba taza, now ba now;
Love is the rose-bloom that ever glows,
Taza ba taza, now ba now."
Akbar, the mighty one, smiled to hear
The musical strain so soft and clear;
Danced the diamonds over his brow
To taza ba taza, now ba now:
His lovely ladies rocked in a row
To taza ba taza, now ba now;
Livelier sparkled the fountain's flow,
Boose sittan ba kaum uzo;
Swifter and sweeter the strings did go,
Mutrib i khoosh nuwa bejo;
Never such singing was heard, I trow;
Taza ba taza, now ba now.
THE MUSSULMAN PARADISE.
(From the Arabic of the Fifty-sixth Súrat of the Koran, entitled "The Inevitable.")
When the Day of Wrath and Mercy cometh, none shall doubt it come;
Unto hell some it shall lower, and exalt to heaven some.
When the Earth with great shocks shaketh, and the mountains crumble flat,
Quick and Dead shall be divided fourfold:—on this side and that.