Oriental wit and wisdom, or, the "Laughable stories" / collected by Mar Gregory John Bar-Hebraeus ; translated from the Syriac by E. A. Wallis Budge.

  • Bar Hebraeus
Date:
1899
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Oriental wit and wisdom, or, the "Laughable stories" / collected by Mar Gregory John Bar-Hebraeus ; translated from the Syriac by E. A. Wallis Budge. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    Its own habitation is far removed from consolation. In the dreams of the night when, [my] rational soul is empty, It becometh painted with shapes of vanity in thy form, 165 For thou knowest that that which was sweet hath be¬ come most bitter. And what ill luck hath come upon the soul that was thine handmaidpn, O mistress! From the time when became certain to thee the intention of departure It became empty and destitute of both knowledge and understanding. In the treasury of the mind blazing fire hath been piled up, 170 Which overcometh with fierce flame and burning the Babylonish woman. With the dew of life of thine angelic shadow Unless thou sprinkle her behold she will be burnt up like the Chaldean woman. Her liver hath become to her a well—like the Israelitish woman— And in it is preserved the unquenchable fire of thy love. 175 In two mighty hre-temples it hath become a dweller. And within a very little it had worshipped the fire like a Persian. In the heart and liver, which are the houses of life, the fire kindleth, And into them entereth the Magian prophetess to pro¬ phesy. Inasmuch as her body is enfeebled and her mind wandereth, 180 If she erreth in her speech let her not be blamed. My heart hath no peace and quietness, and my mind getteth no rest.