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PEARLS OF THE FAITH: 21. YAKBUZU WA YABSUTU, by                 Poet Analysis     Poet's Biography
First Line: In gold and silk and robes of pride
Last Line: Against the unregenerate.
Subject(s): God; Islam


Yakbuzu wa Yabsutu! heaven and hell
He closeth and uncloseth—and doth well!

In gold and silk and robes of pride
An evil-hearted monarch died;
Pampered and arrogant his soul
Quitted the grave. His eyes did roll
Hither and thither, deeming some
In that new world should surely come
To lead his spirit to a seat
Of state, for kingly merit meet.
What saw he? 'Twas a hag so foul
There is no Afrit, Djin, or Ghoul
With countenance as vile or mien,
As fearful, and such terrors seen
In the fierce voice and hideous air,
Blood-dripping hands and matted hair.
"Allah have mercy!" cried the king,
"Whence and what art thou, hateful thing?"
"Dost thou not know—who gav'st me birth?"
Replied the form; "thy sins on earth
In me embodied thus behold.
I am thy wicked work! Unfold
Thine arms and clasp me, for we two
In hell must live thy sentence through."

Then with a bitter cry, 'tis writ,
The king's soul passed unto the pit.

Al-Kabiz! so He bars the gate
Against the unregenerate.





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