1876.] 



P. Whalley — Translations from Makhfi. 



309 



2%e (?«£<? 0/ Ecstacy. 



In the dusky alleys, 



Where grief dreams and dallies, 

 Pause, O soul, nor seek the bowers of bliss ! 



Drink the wine of sorrow : 



Whence shall lover borrow 

 Strong endurance better than from this ? 



Moth, forbear thy yearning 



For the lamp's bright burning ! 

 See, the moonlight, from yon heaven's abyss 



Sends her splendour welling 



Through our roofless dwelling ; 

 See, moth, there is no lamp like this ! 



In the tranced glamours 



Of our mystic amours 

 Smile to smile and kiss replies to kiss. 



In the love and laughter 



Of the here or the hereafter 

 No enchantment shall be found like this. 



Where my love reposes 



'Twist the wine and roses 

 Nothing, foolish heart, can chance amiss. 



Rest thee here, for never 



Through the long forever 

 Shall we meet with happiness like this. 



In the heart's recesses, 



Where the soul confesses, 

 Burns the flambeau of my love, my bliss : 



Nor does breast of lover 



In earth's confines cover 

 Any purer brighter flame than this. 



Makhfi, where temptation 



Flaunts its invitation, 

 Pause not, question not, nor be remiss : 



They who, onward slaving, 



Follow their heart's craving, 

 Ask not, need not any guide but this. 



