Suleika

The mirror tells me, I am fair!
Thou sayest, to grow old my fate will be.
Nought in God's presence changeth e'er,—
Love Him, for this one moment, then, in me.

Fidusi

Oh world, with what baseness and guilt thou art rife!
Thou nurturest, trainest, and killest the while.

He only whom Allah doth bless with his smile
Is train'd and is nurtured with riches and life.

For woman due allowance make!

For woman due allowance make!
Form'd of a crooked rib was she,—
By Heaven she could not straight'ned be.
Attempt to bend her, and she'll break;
If left alone, more crooked grows madam;
What well could be worse, my good friend, Adam?—
For woman due allowance make;
'Twere grievous, if thy rib should break!

Facies Non Omnibus Una

Not a life below the sun
But is precious—unto one!
Not an eye, however dull,
But seems—somewhere—beautiful;
Not a heart, howe'er despised,
But is passioned for and prized.
Fool! who laughs at lack of graces,
Each man hath a many faces!

Equivocation

Some have learn't many tricks of sly evasion,
Instead of truth they use equivocation,
And eke it out with mental reservation,
Which, to good men, is an abomination.
Our smith of late most wonderfully swore,
That whilst he breathed he would drink no more,
But since, I know his meaning, for I think,
He meant he would not breathe whilst he did drink.

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