Shorter Pieces of Arabian Poetry: On Love, by Abu Ali, The Mathematician

ON LOVE. BY ABU ALI, THE MATHEMATICIAN. [ABU ALI flourished in Egypt about a.h. 530, and was equally celebrated as a mathematician and as a poet. In the following odd composition he seems to have united these two discordant characters.] I NEVER knew a sprightly fair That was not dear to me; And freely I my heart could share With every one I see. It is not this or that alone On whom my choice would fall: I do not more incline to one Than I incline to all. The circle's bounding line are they; Its centre is my heart; My ready love, the equal ray That flows to every part.