Vol. VII, No. 10.] Ruba‘iyat of Abu Sa‘id ibn Abu’l Khayr. 645 
[V.S.] 
Are possible—but ’tis not possible to have Thee unto 
the grasp. 
In the first stanza Abu Sa‘id says that it is more possible 
to introduce the Church-bell—a sign of Christianity—for adan 
(call for prayer)—a sign of Muslim prayer—to Mecca ; or to 
introduce the tenets of Islam to Europe, than to attain the 
Beloved. 
In the second stanza Shaykh Sa‘di, who flourished during 
the Crusades, and who was imprisoned by the French Crusa- 
ders, hints that it is rather possible to transfer Christianity 
from Rome to the Holy Land, in Asia Minor, than to attain 
The 
e. 
In the third Quatrain Mulla Abdu’r-Rahman Jami intro- 
duces some aie d unattainable and fanciful objects. 
here can be no doubt that Shaykh Abu Sa‘id ibn Abu’! 
Khayr’s verse > intend the other two poets to imitate him, 
with what success I leave others to judge. 
I am reluctant to pursue the inquiry any further, as to 
the similitude or dissimilitude of the verses of Shaykh te 
to them will never be correctly traced. Beautiful as undoubt- 
edly are their Sake there are many poets who have 
se pore beautiful Quatrains. 
In conclusion, I beg to tender my obligations to Mr. H. 
Beveridge for his kindly procuring for me a copy of the Quat- 
rains from the British Museum, which never lends MSS., and 
for his many advices and suggestions. 
PPR NOON ILO PRP i 
