[35] Written to a lady upon her refusal of a present of melons, and her
     rejection of the addresses of an admirer.

THE CAPTURE OF JERUSALEM[36]

  From our distended eyeballs flow
    A mingled stream of tears and blood;
  No care we feel, nor wish to know,
    But who shall pour the largest flood.

  But what defense can tears afford? 
    What aid supply in this dread hour? 
  When kindled by the sparkling sword
    War’s raging flames the land devour.

  No more let sleep’s seductive charms
    Upon your torpid souls be shed: 
  A crash like this, such dire alarms,
    Might burst the slumbers of the dead.

  Think where your dear companions lie—­
    Survey their fate, and hear their woes—­
  How some thro’ trackless deserts fly,
    Some in the vulture’s maw repose;

  While some more wretched still, must bear
    The tauntings of a Christian’s tongue—­
  Hear this—­and blush ye not to wear
    The silken robe of peace so long?

  Remember what ensanguin’d showers
    The Syrian plains with crimson dyed,
  And think how many blooming flowers
    In Syrian forts their beauties hide.

  Arabian youths!  In such a cause
    Can ye the voice of glory slight? 
  Warriors of Persia!  Can ye pause,
    Or fear to mingle in the fight?

  If neither piety nor shame
    Your breasts can warm, your souls can move,
  Let emulation’s bursting flame
    Wake you to vengeance and to love.

Almodhafer Alabiwerdy.

[36] The capture of Jerusalem took place in the 492d year of the Hegira,
     A.D. 1099.  Alabiwerdy, who wrote these verses, was a native of
     Khorasan; he died A.H. 507.

TO A LADY

  No, Abla, no—­when Selim tells
  Of many an unknown grace that dwells
      In Abla’s face and mien,
  When he describes the sense refin’d,
  That lights thine eye and fills thy mind,
      By thee alone unseen.

  Tis not that drunk with love he sees
  Ideal charms, which only please
      Thro’ passion’s partial veil,
  ’Tis not that flattery’s glozing tongue
  Hath basely fram’d an idle song,
      But truth that breath’d the tale.

  Thine eyes unaided ne’er could trace
  Each opening charm, each varied grace,
      That round thy person plays;
  Some must remain conceal’d from thee,
  For Selim’s watchful eye to see,
      For Selim’s tongue to praise.

  One polish’d mirror can declare
  That eye so bright, that face so fair,
      That cheek which shames the rose;
  But how thy mantle waves behind,
  How float thy tresses on the wind,
      Another only shows.

AN EPIGRAM[37]