Shorter Pieces of Arabian Poetry: A Serenade to His Sleeping Mistress, by Ali Ben Abd Algany, of Cordova

A SERENADE TO HIS SLEEPING MISTRESS. BY ALI BEN ABD ALGANY, OF CORDOVA. SURE Harut's * potent spells were breathed Upon that magic sword, thine eye; For if it wounds us thus while sheathed, When drawn ’tis vain its edge to fly. How canst thou doom me, cruel fair, Plunged in the hell † of scorn, to groan? No idol e’er this heart could share This heart has worshipped thee alone. 146:* A wicked angel, who is permitted to tempt mankind by teaching them magic: see the legend respecting him in Sale's Korān. 146:† The poet here alludes to the punishments denounced in the Koran against those who worship a plurality of gods: "their couch shall be in hell, and over them shall be coverings of fire." Sur. 2.