but a young man may yet grow wise and cast off his foolishness.

VII

We asked, and ye gave; we asked again, and ye gave again:

but the end of much asking must be that no giving shall follow it.


TARAFAH IBN AL 'ABD

A rebuke to a mischief-maker: Translation of C. J. Lyall

The craft of thy busy tongue has sundered from home and kin

the cousins of both thy houses, 'Amr, 'Auf, and Mâlik's son.

For thou to thy dearest art a wind of the bitter north,