If She be pleasant to look on, what does the Young Man say? "Lo! She is pleasant to look on, give Her to me today!" II Yea, though a Kaffir die, to him is remitted Jehannum annum. III Blister we not for bursati? So when the heart is vexed, The pain of one maiden's refusal is drowned in the pain of the next. IV The temper of chums, the love of your wife, and a new piano's tune Which of the three will you trust at the end of an Indian June? V Who are the rulers of Ind-to whom shall we bow the knee? Make your peace with the women, and men will make you L. G. VI Does the woodpecker flit round the young ferash? Does grass clothe a new-built wall? Is she under thirty, the woman who holds a boy in her thrall? VII If She grow suddenly gracious--reflect. Is it all for thee? The black-buck is stalked through the bullock, and Man through jealousy. VIII Seek not for favor of women. So shall you find it indeed. Does not the boar break cover just when you're lighting a weed? Certain Maxims of Hafiz IX If He play, being young and unskilful, for shekels of silver and gold, Take His money, my son, praising Allah. The kid was ordained to be sold. X X With a "weed" among men or horses verily this is the best, That you work him in office or dog-cart lightly-but give him no rest. XI Pleasant the snaffle of Courtship, improving the manners and carriage; But the colt who is wise will abstain from the terrible thornbit of Marriage. XII As the thriftless gold of the babul, so is the gold that we spend On a Derby Sweep, or our neighbor's wife, or the horse that we buy from a friend. XIII The ways of a man with a maid be strange, yet simple and tame To the ways of a man with a horse, when selling or racing that same. XIV In public Her face turneth to thee, and pleasant Her smile when ye meet. It is ill. The cold rocks of El-Gidar smile thus on the waves at their feet. In public Her face is averted, with anger She nameth thy name. It is well. Was there ever a loser content with the loss of the game? 1914 XV If She have spoken a word, remember thy lips are sealed, And the Brand of the Dog is upon him by whom is the secret revealed. If She have written a letter, delay not an instant, but burn it. Tear it in pieces, O Fool, and the wind to her mate shall return it! If there be trouble to Herward, and a lie of the blackest can clear, Lie, while thy lips can move or a man is alive to hear. XVI My Son, if a maiden deny thee and scufflingly bid thee give o'er, Yet lip meets with lip at the lastward-get out! She has been there before. They are pecked on the ear and the chin and the nose who are lacking in lore. XVII If we fall in the race, though we win, the hoof-slide is scarred on the course. Though Allah and Earth pardon Sin, remaineth forever Remorse. XVIII "By all I am misunderstood!" if the Matron shall say, or the Maid: "Alas! I do not understand," my son, be thou nowise afraid. In vain in the sight of the Bird is the net of the Fowler displayed. XIX My Son, if I, Hafiz, thy father, take hold of thy knees in my pain, Demanding thy name on stamped paper, one day or one hour-refrain. Are the links of thy fetters so light that thou cravest an other man's chain? Rudyard Kipling (1865 WHAT is an epigram? a dwarfish whole, Samuel Taylor Coleridge [1772-1834] As in smooth oil the razor best is whet, Unknown "I HARDLY ever ope my lips," one cries; "Simonides, what think you of my rule?" "If you're a fool, I think you're very wise; If you are wise, I think you are a fool." Richard Garnett [1835-1906] PHILOSOPHER, whom dost thou most affect, Richard Garnett [1835-1906] Joy is the blossom, sorrow is the fruit, No truer word, save God's, was ever spoken, THIS house, where once a lawyer dwelt, Is now a smith's. Alas! How rapidly the iron age Succeeds the age of brass! William Erskine [1769-1822] "I WOULD,” says Fox, "a tax devise "Then tax receipts," Lord North replies, "For those you never see." Richard Brinsley Sheridan [1751-1816]_ You beat your pate, and fancy wit will come. Knock as you please, there's nobody at home. Alexander Pope [1688-1744] If a man who turnips cries Have a turnip than a father. Samuel Johnson [1709-1784] LIFE is a jest, and all things show it; I said so once, and now I know it. John Gay [1685-1732] I AM his Highness' dog at Kew. Pray, sir, tell me,-whose dog are you? Alexander Pope [1688-1744] |