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The Poet's Night of Lamps and Wine

The Poet's Night of Lamps and Wine

From C2.1, The Prelude. It illustrates C2.1.15–26 (to C2.1.27):

  • C2.1.15
    Amid that vigil’s grief, with tightened breast,I rose, estranged from comfort, sleep, and rest.
  • C2.1.16
    Within my house there lived a loving soul,To whom I called and bade her bring a coal.
  • C2.1.17
    She came into the garden, bright and fair,My darling idol, with a moonlit air.
  • C2.1.18
    She said: “What need of light? Why wake and weep?Will night not bring your wounded spirit sleep?”
  • C2.1.19
    I said: “My idol, sleep will not draw near;Bring me a candle, sun-bright, strong, and clear.
  • C2.1.20
    Set it before me; spread the banquet board,Then take the chang, and let the wine be poured.”
  • C2.1.21
    My darling brought me shining lamps and wine,With quince and orange, pomegranates fine.
  • C2.1.22
    She brought a goblet fit for royal state,Then poured the wine and touched the chang till late.
  • C2.1.23
    As though famed Harut had displayed his art,The darkness lost dominion in my heart.
  • C2.1.24
    My heart was victor over all desire;The dark night turned to daylight by that fire.
  • C2.1.25
    Now hear the words my kind companion said,Once we and the bright goblet had been wed.
  • C2.1.26
    That moon-faced sun addressed me with a smile:“May heaven crown your life through every trial.

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