PS 3539 .fl55 114 1902 Copy 1 ii^^ Class _iS^i5,i3_ CoEyright))". ^0^ COHfRIGHT DEPOSIT. U^ V' How plain does it appear that there is not another condition of life so well suited for philosophizing as this in which thou now happenest to be. Emperor Marcus Aurelius Antoninus. The Meditations of Ali Ben Hafiz By LeeRoy J. Tappan 938 A. D. T^3'SS^ the' LIBRARY 6f COMQRESS. Tv»o C0HE6 Recsived SE^ 1902 CorymoKT ehthv C«.A8« ^ XXa N». C OPY B. , ^yright 1902 By LeeRoy J. Tappan Of this work there have been privately printed on antique laid, deckle edge paper, one hundred and fifty copies, this being number I'd The Meditations of Ali Ben Hafiz I. HE Omnipotent One willed it And in the immeasurable, placed By unseen, subtle forces, The World evolved from out the waste. II. The Master Potter ^ on the revolving wheel A vessel of unusual beauty wrought, And, breathing on the senseless clay Man into life is brousfht. 'fc>' III. Empires rise and fall ; Babel rears to heaven its head, The Egyptian Pharo's to build temples and pyri- mids are led ; A Cyrus or an Alexander the nations mould ; War, Famine and Flood, the scrolls unfold. IV. YER flying on pinions never weary, Legion are they who by the Wings of Death are brushed ; The Earth with open arms outstretched, Welcomes her own, dust unto dust. V. Each has a part in this great Drama passed Before the Ages, whose setting Earth, the time Eter- nity, Humanity the cast ; And through all the changes as the Play proceeds He sits alone a witness of the first act and the last. VI. One taste from the brimming cup And lo ! there stands another waiting for his sup, Ready the place to occupy, Where, short before the other stood so soon to die. VII. Across the sky a lurid glare, And quickly all again is dark ; Or pausing a brief hour its light to share Is gone, and we remaining understand, in part. VIII. The fated hour soon makes its round When for that trackless shore are bound The mortals who in this lone sphere Are doomed to joy, to sorrow and to fear. IX. F, through the darkness we emerge to Light, Then through what existence came we ere this present PHght ? And to what Harbor gains the evolving Soul If, by many changes reaching in time, its logic right ? X. In all its splendor breaks the Dawn Heralded by Horsemen in golden armor clad ; Earth throws aside her misty coverlet to yawn, Her varied life resumes with pleasure, yet is sad. XL Standing on the World's edge who first the gleaming Heralds greet, Bathed as are the valleys in a broad band of shining gold ? And who a parting gives to these horsemen on steeds so fleet, Galloping across the sky, away, and into what Un- told ? XII. Bach smiling morn a thousand Roses brings. Each eve, on leaf and flower, a dewdrop clings ; Withered the Rose of yestermorn, vanished the spark- ling drop. But the same hand that gathers, in abundance flings. XIII. In the Magic Hall of Echoes stood I in seclusion. Where every echo seemed the Voice it mocked. Thrusting the keen Lance of Truth in each Illusion, Through some flaw left for my confusion. XIV. INTO the Globe of Destiny did look, Whose crystal depths a measureless well did seertij Whose waters quickly many colors took, Changing, ever changing in a varied gleam. XV. A million ! yea, ten thousand times a million, were the scenes before me passed. Cried a Voice from out the Darkness, " Short your life time ere the last." Why ? Whence ? and Vv^hither ? which in the Globe to solve I looked, Acknowledge I with swimming senses, are far be- yond the mortal grasp. XVI. The Wind played o'er the Strings of a Harp in a window set. Sweeping with passionate touch like the voice of a wandering Soul outlet. Or lingering fondly with caressing fingers, Whispering Voices of the Unseen, the pensive listen- ers abet. XVII. At midnight, wild the mourning from the breeze-swept silver strings, "We the Voices of the Restless Wind, Ever onward, never ceasing, this for us each hour brings. Sobbing, moaning for the Rest we never find." XVIII. S the restless Wind so is the Mortal life; A Dawn, a Bosom, a Sob, then Night; Man passes Existence's fleeting hour in strife, Not knowing Whence nor Whither ; could this but questioning incite ? XIX. We are Phantoms of the wind like ye ; All Life offers are but passing breezes on the chang- ing strings : Love, the Rose, thy Friends, if enduring this would pleasure be, But having drunk Life's Cup, Death, the dregs into our faces flino:s. XX. I, Pleasure in the Courts of Love have sought, 'Mid scenes on which a thousand times I've thought, And though each scene the same sweet flavor leaves, To me. Repentance ever says : *'Thy time too cheaply bought." XXI. Through halls of marble, cool as Himalayas' snow, I went, O'er whose alabaster roof there ran rich carvings which great beauty lent ; And down the sides to lattices and woven round the dome, Jade, onyx and the jasper stone in wonderous inlay blent. XXII. ROM portals of carved cedar wood, curtains red, green and gold were himg ; Feet deep into rich carpets sunk o'er whose making generations sung; Lamps of chased silver fed by perfumed oil from the Roof swinging, shown like soft lights from the heavens flung. XXIII. A fountain with the ripple of hushed music filled the scented air; The basin where in it fell, of marble white with pink veins was wrought, In whose clear depths fish, red and gold, like pleasures share ; And over all such rest and comfort as the Prophet's promises declare. XXIV. From arched and latticed windows, a scene of natural beauty spread; Far off against the azure sky, mountains where Allans Chosen pled ; Nearer, like islands rising from a golden sea of grain, stood Gardens pleasant, and groves of palm trees the til- ler's humble hut o'ershed. XXV. Time quickly passed as in these fair halls I lived for- getting. Where Music whispered through the bloom, And amorous song, voluptous dance, lithe fofms in rythm stepping To the tinkling zyther's soothing notes, enraptured by the dreamy tune. XXVI. NE face often in the mirror of the Past I see; Hahma with thy lips of musk, eyes bright, spark- Hng as the stars of night, Whose form, equaled, cannot even by the Sultan's favorite be; Open ever were thy arms in whose embrace all cares took flight. XXVII. But why me do past experiences beset ? If not to remind that soon I too the same caravan may join Where short before, I Halima farewell bade with fond regret That one so young must spend her valued treasure, — Life's golden coin. XXVIII. The western sky with pink and gold was flecked, As to prayer - from a minaret a muezzin called, 'Twas then I heard Halima's wooing voice so short a time by Azrael ^ checked. Say : " So great my love that not from thee by Death is walled." XXIX. How calm in peaceful slumber dreams the sleeper, lo ! When Life is passed and cold in Death is he not even so ? From the faded roses o'er his grave gone perfume and beauty, but where ? The lamp of oil is drained, wither has gone the flame, can'st show ? XXX. HE garlands bright, the costly incense show slight respect, If in Life the silent one was never decked With beautious wreaths, not merely once, but often ; The Living , not those in the shadows past can feel neglect. XXXL The wanderer returns and with his bride A million cycles of Eternity to abide ; The nuptial couch is ever thus prepared For those who through the Gloomy Portal stride. xxxn. When for you and 1 the silent gates asunder swing, Who can tell whether Joy or Sorrow will bring The first glance of wonders from within the frowning Portal ne'er passed save by the Entering ? XXXIIL From this far country where great hosts sojourn, Who has ever seen a caravan return From without the haze, or e'en A single weary one the Secret learn ? XXXIV. OR this long journey a multitude prepare, Some with hopeful joy declare, Others ever living in To-Day No vague Mirage of To-Morrow share. XXXV. The Sultan in his gorgeous tomb is laid, Nations mourn, and tribute from all men is paid ; But in that place where name of slave and sultan is for- got, Such are as ashes on the simoom's breath, thus for all the lot. XXXVI. Mohammed to the Faithful, Paradise holds out ; Gautama, Zoroaster and the Nazerene Each their respective versions shout. Whose devotes declare their own the only mean. XXXVII. If by a lonely pilgrimage I the Sacred Mecca ^ gained. Or Buddha Gaya, where Prince Siddartha ^ the per- fect enlightenment attained : Will these to the mortal brain a soothing balm apply, Thinking, as do a multitude, to be by Penance sus- tained ? XXXVIII. H ! what confusion and to what complications led By the two and seventy jarring sects , ^ Each "The Right," and saved he who this selects ; Did not the Tower of Babel rear to Heaven its head ? XXXIX. A sage bent with weight of years, once said to me ; " Life's cup is brimming with Hopes that but allure to flee. With Joys that vanish while we sip ; Pleasure and Creed no more than a Delusion be." XL. Of a verity, 'tis a foolish state To pass hours away in debate. When Rubies kindle in the Wine, And flowered barge, the lute and Love await. XLI. Think' St thou that when this life is passed, 'Twill be whether thou did'st dine or fast, Or whether from that table of engraven stone Thou did'st learn the lesson of forgiveness cast ? 10 xui. NE sip from thy Jar replete, To the wanderer in the Desert thou do'st give, Wilt not the Wise One to thy account A reward direct in that Hereafter thou may'st live ? XLIII. When the sailor to reach the Ethiopic Ocean stears Through that strait of perils called '' The Gate of Tears," ^ He thinks of loved ones mourning him as dead, And trusting in a mightier Power chokes down his fears. XUV. We'll trust, as hither and thither is blown The frail bark, that GOD is not alone Given to wrath, but may guide us to a Harbor safe, unknown to clashing Sect or sacred tome. XLV. The Rose, thy Love and Time, quickly pass away, Best not to mourn for things of Yesterday ; Bowers still by the river bloom, other loves await; Thy present happiness will Sorrow and Regret out- stay. II XLVI. OVE is sweet, but as dust into dust mingle The fond breasts which pillow and the lips which tingle In caress ; Alas ! that all this beauty is to disappear ; Both faded, the fair rose from the common, impos- sible to single. XLVII. My Orient Pearl, of the apples from Istkahar, ^ Only the honeyed half is best by far For thee and me, who naught but sweets desire, Too soon the Bitter must we taste, our love to man XLVIIL Love's song and the zither's notes are for the Night, For Day, he who us the Potion of Forgetfulriess gives, is Sleep; My Heart's Desire, come pledge thou me aright, To-Night we laugh, who knows ? To-morrow we may weep. xux. The wine's not made from grapes that yet must grow. Neither from the grapes that last year grew ; and so This Present Harvest is alone the Juice ; Live in To-Day, let Past and Future go. 12 L. OHAMMED says; ^ " In the Battle's ardent heat, All who Death in valor meet, For such, beckoning Houris in the skies. Welcoming to gardens fair, midst Eternal Joy re- plete." LI. Tell not of fancied pleasures in the skies, Of dark-eyed, waiting ones in Paradise ; The chance to cross the keen-edged scimetar of Al- Sirat ^° Is small indeed; thou must for me another way de- vise. LII. Those there be, wholly to carnage and the Koran given. Who think each time their blades into an unbeliever's heart are driven, The more direct their path to Heaven And joys unspeakable for which they've striven. LIIT. Great Alia ! Art Thou not with anger shook When such as these before Thee stand, Claiming as their guide inspired, the book Mohammed in his fertile brain has. planned ? 13 uv. NE cannot wash his spirit clean in blood Of either human or the beast, Nor gladden GOD by crimsoning the altars in a flood From sacrifices offered up by priest. LV. The tempting lips, the grape's sweet juice, From these and many more, which in this world are placed. Saints and Sages would abstinence induce ; Why, if here placed, should not the many gifts be tasted ? LVL The tawny lion is to subjection brought, By man's supremacy its boldness looses. And this same lesson should the flesh be taught, If man, as his own master, a little moderation uses. LVIl. Some give to the dust with one toss, the flower of Life, Others slowly, one by one, the wine red petals scatter ; To win Ambition's fleeting goal, ever the strife. This the highest aim, they themselves do flatter. 14 LVIII. OLOMON in all his glory could not win The splendor of the lillies, which neither toil nor spin, And man through life, a ceaseless effort makes In striving for a wordly estimation, bubble thin. ux. Perchance thou wilt gain the favor of those Whose caprice, like their kingdom, comes and goes, And when in the high place thou dost stand. Do not forget, the Sower only gathers as he throws. LX. The bubble on the beaker's brim shines For a moment, but to break, and To-Day finds Us awakening from the dreams that seemed so fair ; The slip between the Cup and Lip oft changes our designs. LXI. Down through the corridors of Time Comes echoing the story of the After- Life; Some hear and muse, others drown sober thoughts in Wine, Not caring to discuss the question rife. 15 LXII. F this present garment which the Soul wears for a while Is but of Mortal weave, why wear this hurnble garb, if free To don a Royal Robe for this which may defile ? Why not burn the Rags, and seize the cloak of Immortality ? LXIII. Certainty marches in the funeral line of Doubt, And says to the wondering ones who stand without, **Life is short, but Oh ! the cycles of Eternity ; Why waste the Present in Future Hopes devout?" LXIV. My Soul through other spheres journeyed afar, To rend the Veil so thin, and yet so dense as to de- bar Us from all Knowledge of the After- Life. Which may be, or may not, 'tis about on par. LXV. In time my Soul returned to me And said, " In thy world both Joy and Sorrow be ; The Joys of Paradise or the Agonies Of Al-Hawiyat both abide in thee." x6 hXVl. HE body ! 'tis but an earthen jar, Which serves a purpose, and when, as before The Shard is Earths, the Treasure so far By it hid is there no more. LXVII. One tries to turn from the embrace of Sorrow, And looking for Pleasure in some Tomorrow, Halts wondering, to see her face smiling through Tears, as she asks if he would pleasure borrow. LXVHI. Once, standing by a date palm full of bloom, I calculated on the store of fruit ; 'Neath that same palm I stood days after, yet so soon, And blasted were the buds ; the cause to a desert wind impute. " LXIX. Time turns Life's pages with a ceaseless hand. Whether in Mecca or in Samarkand : Though storm clouds gather or mild zephers blow. Through all, fast falls the golden sand. 17 LXX. ELL, let them turn, shall not we tune The lute, and in some bower with roses strewn, Pass time away 'till breaks the dawn ? Reminding of sweet hours past, alas ! too soon. LXXL Who knows where the Gennii ^^ hid The jeweled cup of ^^ King Jamshid, Sparkling full of Life's Elixir, bidding The Thirsty drink and of Death's fears be rid ? LXXIL Into the Labyrinth of Human Fate I went, wandering with longing innate, That the Secret I might discover ; Alas ! the entrance was the exit and I insatiate. Lxxm. Nor can they answer, Sun, Stars or Moon, The mourning Sea, the Earth in bloom ; They to this question silent are, Although with the Infinite in tune. i8 LXXIV. HEN in the Hand of the Wind you and I Are swept into Eternity, the few who sigh, And of our Coming and Departure know, May miss us for a while, but not for aye. LXXV. Repentence ! I with him many a discussion share, And oft'times to his way of thinking brought ; Though me he never a censure spare, All my musings come to naught. LXXVI. Every draught drank in the palm's cool shade Is but a balm to past sorrows laid, And he who carefully the jeweled cup abstains. How much more the pass to future happiness obtains ? Lxxvn. Does the Wise One, scales in hand. Change by one weight, more or less, the life of man ? Or do the Three, without remorse, without fatigue, To bring success or failure, ever league ? 19 LXXVIII. HERE, indeed, is Life's satisfaction sent? To him who in the palace dwells with slaves on every hand ? Or to the humble one with labor bent, Who sustenance obtains from one free source, the land ? LXXIX. Oft'times the water from the earthen bowl Tastes bitter, perchance the bitterness comes from thy Soul, Or the clay of the bowl, once man, never looses Mortality's keen flavor, even though in different mould. LXXX. The emerald on thy forehead gleaming like a serpent's eye, The jar on whose contents, for daily food, the ^'^ sacred doves rely. The sparkling wine cup and we who drink ; All can to no higher source than clay their origin imply. LXXXI. The bird through its freedom a joyous life leads ; Trying never the unatainable to reach by foregoing deeds ; But man the slayer, being wise, is by His very wisdom plagued, yet for greater wisdom pleads. 20 LXXXII. HE sandal to act a lowly port is suffered, And if it hurt thee either at the heel or toe, Blamest thou the sandal with dust o'er covered ? Or dost wonder why then did'st it the Maker fashion so ? LXXXIII. Summer ended, through the golden haze the swallows flit away, Again returning after they the winter blasts outstay : Beware! Words and deeds from us go out; To-morrow, or years hence come back and interest on the principal repay. LXXXIV. The Ruby in thy armlet sparkles with a brilliant light. But not without much rubbing came the polishing aright; Nor is man perfected by a Life all Joy and Ease; The Battles of his making are alone his own to fight. LXXXV. As light from darkness is discerned, So good from bad is by the contrast learned ; Were Sorrow foreign to this world. Pleasure would its keen flavor loose. And Life without the spice would soon be spumed. 21 LXXXVI. KNOW of an isle in ^s Oman's Sea, Whose banks of pearl and coral be, Washed by waters of a sapphire hue, There to live and love together, what felicity ! LXXXVII. Its velvet turf is shaded by the fair palm tree. The Rose and Jasmine yield sweetness to the honey bee; 'Tis here cool fountains, perfumed breeze and song of birds Would share in making this a paradise for thee and me. LXXXVIII. The Wine a cooling in the spring, And thou beside me in dreamy voice to sing Of thy true love ; for this, gladly Would I from me an empire's sceptre fling. LXXXIX. Tune not the zyther high, neither tune it low, For the string too tight soon breaks and away go Charming notes, then if too low, the string is silent ; " Tune then the zyther neither high nor low." 22 xc. GYPT, whose life depends on Nilu's sacred flood Of tears, wept by Isis o'er ^^ Osiris dead, Thou land of mystery where virgin to the river god is wed ; Where from its bath of tears blooms forth the lotus bud ! XCI. ^Twas on this murky, brooding stream. That Antony with Cleopatra did dream The hours away, and awoke to find The World's crown lost, and likewise all esteem. XCII. Oh ! to solve the riddle of the silent Sphinx ! Who through the ages with that knowing smile Has sat the same, with eyes that never shrink From desert sun, nor heed passing nations the while. XCIIL Into great depths plunges the diver. And with a priceless pearl emerges ; Despair not, in darker depths hidden for the gallant striver A pearl, in value a king's ransom, lies washed by ocean surges. 23 XCIV. LrEACHING in a scorching land, Found I, with sorrowing thoughts, a skull, Not knowing, died the traveller in the sand, That nearby an oasis bloomed his thirst to lull. xcv. When in thy wanderings a strange path thou takest, And falling into some dark pit, its dangers to thy mind recalls. So that another time, thou for thyself a safer way makest, More cautious and the wiser for thy falls. XCVI. Oh, glorious Night! How brightly gleams thy cres- cent diadem. And how the ^^ bulbul in mellow notes pours forth ecstatic song ! Life is sweet in such an hour, with dewy gem On leaf and blossom ; all Nature tries this vision to prolong. XCVII. Nor can David's song compare with thine. To whose entrancing notes the stars with greater brightness shine. As though 'twere not interrupted by the garish light Of Day, but continuous, ever sweeter, a melody divine. 24 XCVIII. H Music ! great is thy heart touching power, When soft from the lute, through the moonhght is steaHng, Thy voice which invites in that magical hour, To cares throw aside, Love's presence only feel- ing. XCIX. vStrange when the heart cannot be Softened by such melody : If GOD gave means to discover His existence, Then surely Nature is the simplest key. C. The Air, the Rose, the Mountain ; in each is HE, Though not imprisoned in his own handiwork: to flee From HIM ! impossible^ His life continues through all Time; The Only, when no more are Sun, Earth and Sea. CI. Vain the endeavor to measure the Immeasurable, or sink The plumb of thought into the Fathomless, to link The Finite with the Infinite ; awed by the Depths between, we, back into the shadow shrink. 25 CII. ND when for me this Life shall end, Lay me not in sepulcher, but trend Thy way to mountain top, there, from the urn, My ashes afar on the winds of Heaven send. CIIL Thus it may be in Egypt's pillared Halls Of Denderah I'll rest, or breeze carried where falls The scented dew oe'r India's ancient soil, from whose Teeming millions The Brahmana ^^ a varied service calls. CIV. 'Midst revelry, as the wine cup to my lips I press, I think of those beneath and make a guess That a ^^ libation poured to earth may reach The lips long silent, yet parched no less. CV. Of Babylon's wonders much is seen. How Nebuchadnezzar for his Median queen ^° Gardens unexcelled in beauty built. Watered from Euphrates' stream. 26 CVI. EAVY indeed is the hand, That o'er that once fair, glorious land The seeds of dissolution sowed Where wonders great by man were planned. CVII. From the entangling Web of Fate can'st see Thy freedom ? That which is to be, will be. Never can'st thou escape thy shadow ; It is with thee always, wherever thou dost flee. CVIII. ^' Israfil, thou Angel of the Melodious Voice, If I could hear thee sing and had my choice From all the anthems to select, 'twould be The Anthem of Eternity, to Doubt disperse and me rejoice. CIX. The same sun that from the East, Lighting Mecca's gilded tower. Smiled when at the Wise One's touch, Clay breathed to show HIS power. 27 ex. HE dewdrop slips into the gleaming Sea, Neither taking from nor adding to, apparently ; The wavelets whisper, the great waves moan 'In sending forth the Eternal Melody. CXI. When thou about thee the garment of oblivion hold, Fear not lest horrid visions be to thy sleep unrolled, But smiling to the friends around thy couch, Into blissful ease incline, as thee the mystic arms enfold. TAMAM 38 Here endeth The Meditations of Alt Ben Hafiz, as written by LeeRoy J. Tappan. Privately printed under the personal supervision of the author. Done in August, MCMII. 29 Notes Note I. The Potter's art is not only the most common, but the most ancient of all arts, and so the simile of the Pot and the Potter to man and his creator, is found in the Literature of the World, in nearly every country. The Hebrew Prophets make this comparison as do the writers of the present day. Rom. 9-21. Hath not the potter power over the clay, of the same lump to make one vessel unto honor, and another unto dis- honor ? Also see, Isa. 64-8. Jer. 18-6. O house of Israel, cannot I do with you as this Potter? saith the Lord. Behold, as the clay is in the Potter's hand, so are ye in mine hand, O house of Israel. Note 2. The Mohammedan muezzins, from the minarets of the many mosques which are so numerous in the countries of Islam, call the Faithful to prayer five times a day, the appointed season being just after sunset, at nightfall, at daybreak, near midday, and in the afternoon. Note 3. Azrael, one of the archangels, regarded as the Angel of Death. Note 4. Mecca the most sacred city in the Mohammedan world. The " Follower of the Prophet " who makes the pilgrim- age to Mecca has the right and distinction of wearing the green turban. 31 Note 5. It was at Gaya (since called Buddha Gaya), that Prince Siddartha attaining Nirvana, became the Buddaha. Ac- cording to Indian philosophy, Nirvana is the acme of perfec- tion. Note 6. The seventy-two Religions which are supposed to divide the World ; some say, including Islamism, others not. Note 7. " The Gate of Tears ;" the straite or passage into the Red Sea, commonly called Babelmandel. It received this name from the old Arabians, on account of the danger of navi- gation, and the number of shipwrecks by which it was distin- guished induced them to consider as dead, and to wear mourn- ing for, all who had the boldness to hazard the passage through it into the Ethiopic Ocean." — Richardson. Note 8. " In the territory of Istkahar there is a kind of ap^ pie, half of which is sweet and half sour." Ebn Haukal. Not g. * * * "Verily God hath purchased of the true believers their souls and their substance, promising them the enjoyment of paradise; on condition that they fight for the cause of God; whether they slay or be slain, the promise for the same is assuredly due by the law, and the gospel, and the Koran. And who performeth his contract more faithfully than God ? Re- joice therefore in the contract which ye have made. This shall be great happiness. Chap, ix, Al Koran, Entitled, The Declara- tion of Immunity. Sale. " There are they who shall approach near unto God ; they shall dwell in gardens of delight. (There shall be many of the former religions ; and few of the last) . Reposing on couches adorned with gold and precious stones; sitting opposite to one another thereon. Youths which shall continue in their bloom for ever, shall go around about to attend them, with goblets, and beakers, and a cup of flowing wine; their heads shall not ache by drinking the same, neither shall their reason be disturbed ; and with fruits of the sort which they shall choose, and the flesh of birds of the kind which they shall desire. And there shall ac- 32 company them fair damsels having large black eyes : resembling pearls hidden in their shells; as a reward for that which they shall have wrought. They shall not have therein any vain dis- course, or any charge of sin; but only the salutation of Peace! Peace! And the companions of the right hand (how happy shall the companions of the right hand be?) shall have their abode among lote trees free from thorns, and trees of Mauz loaded reg- ularly with their produce from top to bottom; under an extended shade, near a flowing water, and amidst fruits in abundance, which shall not fail, nor shall be forbidden to be gathered; and they shall repose themselves on lofty beds. Verily we have created the damsels of paradise by a peculiar creation; and we have made them virgins, beloved by their husbands, of equal age with them; for the delight of the companions of the right hand. Al Koran, Chap. LVI, Entitled, "The Inevitable." Note 10. After the final judgment all will be required to pass over the bridge Al-Sirat, whose width is less than that of a fine hair, and whence the wicked plunge into hell (Al-Hawiyat), while the virtuous cross in safety into heaven. — Koran. Note II. Hot winds from the desert which suddenly sweep over the country adjoining, often ruin the growing fruit. Note 12. Genii : Below the Archangels and those angels who pass their time in hymming the praise of God, in a class of beings called Ginns, or Genii, and who are mortal, and are divided into good and evil spirits. These Ginns are subdivided into several classes, such as Div, or giants; Per, or fairies, etc.— Buel. Note 13. The Cup of King Jamshyd was a miraculous divin- ing cup, typical of the 7 Heavens, 7 Planets, 7 Seas, etc. ; and was supposed to either contain, or to change whatever was drunk from it, into an elixir. Note 14. The sacred blue pigeons of Mecca. 33 Note 15. " Oman's Sea ;" A name sometimes given to the Persian Gulf which separates Persia and Arabia. Note 16, " Isis and Osiris ; Two of the great divinities of the ancient Egyptians. The constant weeping of Isis over the death of Osiris, her husband, was the source of the Nile's water, ac- cording to the belief of some. Note 17. "Bulbul;" The Nightingale. Note 18. "The Brahmana;" are the speculative theology and ritualism, built up through centuries by the scholarly priest- hood of India which consentrated all human interest in the power and prosperity of the church. Note 19. The custom of pouring wine on the ground is an old one in the Orient, and still continues in some countries of the East. It was a libation to Mother Earth, a sign of liberality, and often had a much more significant meaning, as is shown in the case of Ali. Note 20. ''The celebrated hanging gardens, raised upon many an arch proud to do service to the beautiful life above it, were built by Nebuchadnezzar to assuage the nostalgia, or home- sickness of his Median queen, who was unhappy midst the largest luxury and ever-varying entertainment of the prosperous and pleasure seeking city of Babylon. To Nebuchadnezzar Babylon was the fondest of Loves, and he spared neither time, pains nor substance to adorn the city which was the apple of his eye, and yet, even Nebuchadnezzar regarded these hanging gardens as the supreme effort of his life. Built in the center of a city which was in itself the center of the Babylonian dominions ; raised to the height of a mountain by terrace succeeding terrace ; furnished with every plant, shrub and tree which could give variety and beauty to the landscape; surmounted by the most superb of pal- aces upon which gold and silver, priceless gems and all that the 34 cunning of the builder and architect could contrive were lavished in the most wanton profusion, it would be strange indeed if these gardens did not surpass everything but the original Garden of Eden. * * * Yet today these hanging gardens, like the Tower of Babel and many another wonderful creation of man, are only a ruin of fragments of tile, brick and stone, while but a poor single tamarisk or date palm represents a once abundant foliage, in comparison with which the tropical luxuriance of the Amazon is but a sparcely wooded land. * * * ^11 of these splendors are now buried deep beneath the ground, and the last vestige of their existence almost, if not quite, obliterated by the carroding effects of time. * * * The very soil whereon they once flourished has become barren refusing to yield even a scanty subsistence to the miserable people who make their wretched homes in this now sterile, I may say God-cursed region. — Buel. Note 21. The Angel Israfil who has the most melodious voice of all God's creatures, and the angel destined to announce the day of judgment. — Koran. The End 35 The Meditations of All Ben Hafiz LeeRoy J. Tappan n L. C. Bindery 1904 ■ Pit '•".•0 m