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Classic and Contemporary Poetry
THE TEMPTATION, by ANONYMOUS First Line: "haas boulat, worthy man!" Last Line: Flows on to the deep | |||
"Haas Boulat, worthy man! Your poor hut is too old; I will line it with rugs, And will load you with gold; I will give you my horse With a saddle inlaid, And my rifle as well, And my Damascene blade; Than a rifle and horse What is better in life? Here are mine! They are yours, . . . If you give me your wife! You are old, you are gray, You are spoiling her youth. It was only last night That she told me the truth; As we sat, heart to heart, By the great willow tree, On my breast she confessed That she loved only me, Not for one day, or two, But for life, to the last, With a love never felt In her passionless past. Do you doubt it? Each word That I tell you is true, And by Allah she swore She had never loved you." "Cruel Prince, 'tis in vain That you tell me all this, For I saw you last night, When you gave her that kiss! Keep your gold for yourself, And enjoy what it brings; Take my wife as a gift! I want none of those things; Go, admire your bride! In my hut she's at rest, With a knife driven deep In her treacherous breast!" Wild with sorrow and rage The mad prince draws his sword, And the old man's gray head Rolls in blood on the sward. Now the voices are hushed, And the willow trees sleep, While the river, unheeding, Flows on to the deep. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest... |
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