Shorter Pieces of Arabian Poetry: To A Lady, Who Accused Her Lover of Flattery

O, Abla, no—when Selim tells Of many an unknown grace that dwells In Abla's face and mien; When he describes the sense refined That lights thine eye, and fills thy mind, By thee alone unseen,— ’Tis not that, drunk with Love, he sees Ideal charms which only please Through Passion's partial veil; ’Tis not that Flattery's glozing tongue Hath basely framed an idle song, But Truth that breathed the tale. Thine eyes unaided ne’er could trace Each opening charm, each varied grace, That round thy person plays: Some must remain concealed from thee, For Selim's watchful eye to see, For Selim's tongue to praise. One polished mirror can declare That eye so bright, that face so fair, That cheek which shames the rose;. But how thy mantle waves behind, How float thy tresses on the wind, Another only shows. Next: Epigram on Abu Alchair Selamu, an Egyptian Physician, by George, A Physician of Antioch