An Eastern Apologue.

(To E. H. P.)     Melik the Sultn, tired and wan,     Nodded at noon on his divn.     Beside the fountain lingered near     JAML the bard, and the vizier--     Old YSUF, sour and hard to please;     Then JAML sang, in words like these.     Slim is Butheina--slim is she     As boughs of the Arka tree!     "Nay," quoth the other, teeth between,     "Lean, if you will,--I call her lean."     Sweet is Butheina--sweet as wine,     With smiles that like red bubbles shine!     "True,--by the Prophet!" YSUF said,     "She makes men wander in the head!"     Dear is Butheina--ah! more dear     Than all the maidens of Kashmeer!     "Dear," came the answer, quick as thought,     "Dear ... and yet always to be bought."     So JAML ceased. But still Life's page     Shows diverse unto YOUTH and AGE:     And,--be the song of Ghouls or Gods,--     TIME, like the Sultn, sits ... and nods.