Arabian Poetry: Shorter Pieces of Arabian Poetry: A Remonstrance with a Drunkard, by Yahia Ben Salamet
Arabian Poetry, by W. A. Clouston, [1881]
[THIS author was a native of Syria, and died at Miafarakir, in the year of the Hejra 553.]
"In beverage so impure and vile
How canst thou thus delight?"
"My cups," he answered, with a smile,
"Are generous and bright."
"Beware those dangerous draughts," I cried;
"With love the goblet flows."
"And cursed is he," the youth replied,
"Who hatred only knows!"
"Those cups too soon, with sickness fraught,
Thy stomach shall deplore."
"Then soon," he cried, "the noxious draught
And all its ills are o’er."
"Rash youth! thy guilty joys resign"—
"I will," at length he said:
"I vow I'll bid adieu to wine—
As soon as I am dead!"