14 ME-AND-THEE: some dividual Existence or Personality distinct from the Whole. 15 The custom of throwing a little Wine on the ground before drinking still continues in Persia, and perhaps generally in the East. Mons. Nicolas considers it "un signe de liberalité, et en même temps un avertissement que le buveur doit vider sa coupe jusqu'à la dernière goutte." Is it not more likely an ancient Superstition; a Libation to propitiate Earth, or make her an Accomplice in the illicit Revel? Or, perhaps, to divert the Jealous Eye by some sacrifice of superfluity, as with the Ancients of the West? With Omar we see something more is signified; the precious Liquor is not lost, but sinks into the ground to refresh the dust of some poor Wine-worshipper foregone. "When Thus Háfiz, copying Omar in so many ways: thou drinkest Wine pour a draught on the ground. Wherefore fear the Sin which brings to another Gain ?" 16 According to one beautiful Oriental Legend, Azräel accomplishes his mission by holding to the nostril an Apple from the Tree of Life. 17 The Caravans travelling by night, after the Vernal Equinox their New Year's Day. This was ordered by Mohammed himself, I believe. 18 From Máh to Máhi; from Fish to Moon. 19 A Jest, of course, at his Studies. A curious mathematical Quatrain of Omar's has been pointed out to me; the more curious because almost exactly parallel'd by some Verses of Doctor Donne's, and quoted in Izaak Walton's Lives! Here is Omar: "You and I are the image of a pair of compasses; though we have two heads (sc. our feet) we have one body; when we have fixed the centre for our circle, we bring our heads (sc. feet) together at the end." Dr Donne: If we be two, we two are so As stiff twin-compasses are two; And though thine in the centre sit, Yet when my other far does roam, And grows erect as mine comes home. Such thou must be to me, who must 20 The Seventy-two Religions supposed to divide the World: including Islamism, as some think : but others not. 21 Alluding to Sultan Mahmúd's Conquest of India and its dark people. 22 Fánúsi khiyál, a Magic-lanthorn still used in India; the cylindrical Interior being painted with various Figures, and so lightly poised and ventilated as to revolve round the lighted Candle within. 23 A very mysterious Line in the Original: O dánad O dánad O dánad O breaking off something like our Wood-pigeon's Note, which she is said to take up just where she left off. 24 Parwin and Mushtari-The Pleiads and Jupiter. 25 At the Close of the Fasting Month, Ramazán (which 497 makes the Musulman unhealthy and unamiable), the first "Be of Good Cheer-the sullen Month will die, FINIS. JOHN CHILDS AND SON, PRINTERS. |