An Eastern Apologue.

(To E. H. P.)
Melik the Sult'n, tired and wan,
Nodded at noon on his div'n.
Beside the fountain lingered near
JAM'L the bard, and the vizier--
Old Y'SUF, sour and hard to please;
Then JAM'L sang, in words like these.
Slim is Butheina--slim is she
As boughs of the Ar'ka tree!
"Nay," quoth the other, teeth between,
"Lean, if you will,--I call her lean."
Sweet is Butheina--sweet as wine,
With smiles that like red bubbles shine!
"True,--by the Prophet!" Y'SUF said,
"She makes men wander in the head!"
Dear is Butheina--ah! more dear
Than all the maidens of Kashmeer!
"Dear," came the answer, quick as thought,
"Dear ... and yet always to be bought."
So JAM'L ceased. But still Life's page
Shows diverse unto YOUTH and AGE:
And,--be the song of Ghouls or Gods,--
TIME, like the Sult'n, sits ... and nods.