And yet another:—
I marvel at its pressers, how they died ✿ And left us aqua vitæ—lymph of life!
And yet goodlier is the saying of Abu Nowas:—
Cease then to blame me, for thy blame doth anger bring ✿ And with the draught that madded me come med’cining:
A yellow girl[[79]] whose court cures every carking care; ✿ Did a stone touch it would with joy and glee upspring:
She riseth in her ewer during darkest night ✿ The house with brightest, sheeniest light illumining:
And going round of youths to whom the world inclines[[80]] ✿ Ne’er, save in whatso way they please, their hearts shall wring.
From hand of coynted[[81]] lass begarbed like yarded lad,[[82]] ✿ Wencher and Tribe of Lot alike enamouring,
She comes: and say to him who dares claim lore of love ✿ Something hast learnt but still there’s many another thing.
But best of all is the saying of Ibn al-Mu’tazz[[83]]:—