Poem XXV

1Look on me, for thou art my companion in the graveOn the night when thou shalt pass from shop and dwelling.

2Thou shalt hear my hail in the hollow of the tomb: it shall become known to theeThat thou wast never concealed from mine eye.

3I am as reason and intellect within thy bosomAt the time of joy and gladness, at the time of sorrow and distress.

4O strange night when thou hear’st the well-known voice,Scap’st from the stroke of asp, and leap’st from the horror of ant!

5Love’s intoxication will bring to thy grave, as a gift,Wine and mistress and candle and meats and sweets and incense.

6In the hour when the intellectual lamp is lighted,What a pæan goes up from the dead men in the tombs!

7The earth of the grave-yard is confounded by their cries,By the din of the drums of resurrection, by the pomp of rising from the dead.

8They have rent their shrouds, they have pressed tight their two ears in terror;What is brain and ear before the blast of the trumpet?

9Look to thine eye, that thou mistake not,That unto thee the essence of seer and seen may be one.

10To whatever side thou gaze, my form thou shalt espy,Whether thou gaze on self or towards that moil and mell.

11Shun distorted vision and heal thine eyes,For in that moment the evil eye shall be far from my beauty.

12O take heed, lest thou misconceive me in human shape,For spirit is very subtle, and love is very jealous.

13What room for form, if the felt is hundredfold?’Tis the rays of the soul’s mirror that bring the world to view.

14Had they sought God instead of morsel and pittance,Thou hadst not seen a single blind man seated on the moat-edge.

15Since Thou hast opened house in our city as dealer in amorous glances,Deal out glances, like light, with closed lips.