Wednesday, June 30, 2010

A SERENADE TO HIS SLEEPING MISTRESS

BY ALI BEN ABD ALGANY, OF CORDOVA.

Translated into English Verse by J. D. Carlyle, BD



Sure Harut's * potent spells were breathed
   Upon that magic sword, thine eye;
 For if it wounds us thus while sheathed,
   When drawn 'tis vain its edge to fly.

How canst thou doom me, cruel fair,
   Plunged in the hell ** of scorn, to groan?
 No idol e'er this heart could share
   This heart has worshipped thee alone.



Footnotes:

* A wicked angel, who is permitted to tempt mankind by teaching them magic: see the legend respecting him in Sale's Koran.

** The poet here alludes to the punishments denounced in the Koran against those who worship a plurality of gods: "their couch shall be in hell, and over them shall be coverings of fire." Sur. 2.

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