'
;
THE ROUND TABLE OF MAHMUD OF GHAZNAH
76
The fragrant
And It
earth, like inusk-deer,
an aroma boundless bears,
the willow, like the parrot's plume, a countless foliage wears.
— yester-midnight — that
was yestern
the zephyr's breeze did
bring
A
vernal scent
Stored in
i'
the northern blast.
its sleeve,
the wind,
Whilst the garden, in
its
it
Hail to thee, breath of Spring
seems, fine powdered
musk
I
enfolds,
bosom, shining buds like puppets holds.
The
narcissus a bright necklace, set with shining gems, has on.
And
the red syringa wears in
its
ear rubies from Badakhshan.
Yes, the branches of the rose-bush, too, have donned a wine-hued
gown.
And
five-fingered leaves, like
down
human
hands, from the sycamore hang
;
While the garden's changing boughs and sprays match the chameleon's hue.
And
the pool from pearl
its
lustre takes, as the clouds drop pearls
of dew.
Robes of honor, you might fancy, So
full of color
And
the Royal
all
had won by
special grace,
the garden-mead of the Royal Branding-place
Ground
for
Branding
is
so joyous
and
elate
That our age stands now bewildered by its brilliancy's estate. And amidst the verdure's green on green, like stars within the Tent after tent, like fort on fort, you everywhere descry.
The greensward echoes constant
And
brave
*
Wassails
'
sky,
to the lute of minstrels fine.
in the tents resound, as the pages pour the
wine.
In every tent
On
is
a lover, close wrapt in his sweetheart's arms.
every grassplot
There are
is
a friend, to enjoy true friendship's charms.
kisses, love's embraces,
though coy damsels frown the while.
Or the song and dance of minstrels to deep sleep the maids At the door of the pavilion tent of Prince All-fortunate
beguile.
*
A branding-fire Its
is
blazing like the sun, without abate
gleaming flames like lances dart,
all girt
;
with gold brocade.
Hotter than a young man's passion, yellower than gold assayed.
Like branching corals the branding-irons take on a ruby glow,
And
the prong of each, 'midst the fiery heat, a pomegranate's grain
doth show.