THE CYPRESS TREE 193 



THE CYPRESS TREE 



(From " Laili and Majnun ") 



Wandering he reached a spot of ground, 



With palmy groves and poplars crowned ; 



A lively scene it was to view, 



Where flowers too bloomed, of every hue ; 



In wonder lost, he saw the axe applied 



To fell a cypress tree and thus he cried : 



" Gardener ! did ever love thy heart control ? 



Was ever woman mistress of thy soul ? 



When joy has thrilled through every glowing nerve, 



Hadst thou no wish that feeling to preserve ? 



Does not a woman's love delight, entrance, 



And every blessing fortune yields enhance ? 



Then stop that lifted hand, the stroke suspend, 



Spare, spare the cypress tree, and be my friend ! 



And why ? Look there, and be forewarned by me, 



'Tis Laili's form, all grace and majesty ; 



Wouldst thou root up resemblance so complete, 



And lay its branches withering at thy feet ? 



What ! Laili's form ? no ; spare the cypress tree ; 



Let it remain, still beautiful and free ; 



Yes, let my prayers thy kindliest feelings move, 



And save the graceful shape of her I love ! " 



The gardener dropped his axe, o'ercome with 



shame, , 



And left the tree to bloom, and speak of Laili's 



fame. 



NIZAMI. 



(Translated from the Persian.) 

 N 



