*

XXXVIII

One Moment in Annihilation's Waste,

One Moment, of the Well of Life to taste

The Stars are setting and the Caravan

Starts for the Dawn of Nothing — Oh, make haste !

XLVII

When You and I behind the Veil are past,

Oh, but the long, long while the World shall last,
Which of our Coming and Departure heeds
As the Sea's self should heed a pebble-cast.

XLVIII

A Moment's Halt-a momentary taste
Of BEING from the Well amid the Waste-
And Lo!-the phantom Caravan has reacht
The NOTHING it set out from Oh, make haste!

XLIX

Would you that spangle of Existence spend

About THE SECRET

quick about it, Friend!

A Hair perhaps divides the False and True And upon what, prithee, does life depend?

L

A Hair perhaps divides the False and True;
Yes; and a single Alif were the clue -

Could you but find it-to the Treasure-house,

And peradventure to THE MASTER too;

K

XXXIX

How long, how long, in infinite Pursuit
Of This and That endeavour and dispute?
Better be merry with the fruitful Grape,
Than sadden after none, or bitter, Fruit.

LI

Whose secret Presence, through Creation's veins
Running Quicksilver-like eludes your pains;

Taking all shapes from Máh to Máhi; and
They change and perish all — but He remains;

LII

A moment guess'd then back behind the Fold
Immerst of Darkness round the Drama roll'd
Which, for the Pastime of Eternity,
He doth Himself contrive, enact, behold.

LIII

But if in vain, down on the stubborn floor
Of Earth, and up to Heav'n's unopening Door,
You gaze TO-DAY, while You are You-how then
TO-MORROW, You when shall be You no more?

LIV

Waste not your Hour, nor in the vain pursuit
Of This and That endeavour and dispute;
Better be jocund with the fruitful Grape
Than sadden after none, or bitter, Fruit.

XL

You know, my Friends, how long since in my House
For a new Marriage I did make Carouse:

Divorced old barren Reason from my Bed,

And took the Daughter of the Vine to Spouse.

XLI

For "Is" and "IS-NOT" though with Rule and Line.
And "UP-AND-DOWN" without, I could define,

I yet in all I only cared to know,

Was never deep in anything but — Wine.

(See Stanza XXXVII.)

XLII

And lately, by the Tavern Door agape,
Came stealing through the Dusk an Angel Shape
Bearing a Vessel on his Shoulder; and

He bid me taste of it; and 't was - the Grape!