CAMELOT FANTASIES

DESCENT


I made a far journey
 Earth's fair cities to view,
 but like to love's city
 City none I knew

At the first I knew not
 That city's worth,
 And turned in my folly
 A wanderer on earth.

From so sweet a country
 I must needs pass,
 And like to cattle
 Grazed on every grass.

As Moses' people
 I would liefer eat
 Garlic, than manna
 And celestial meat.

What voice in this world
 to my ear has come
 Save the voice of love
 Was a tapped drum.

Yet for that drum-tap
 From the world of All
 Into this perishing
 Land I did fall.

That world a lone spirit
 Inhabiting.
 Like a snake I crept
 Without foot or wing.

The wine that was laughter
 And grace to sip
 Like a rose I tasted
 Without throat or lip.

'Spirit, go a journey,'
 Love's voice said:
 'Lo, a home of travail
 I have made.'

Much, much I cried:
 'I will not go';
 Yea, and rent my raiment
 And made great woe.

Even as now I shrink
 To be gone from here,
 Even so thence
 To part I did fear.

'Spirit, go thy way,'
 Love called again,
 'And I shall be ever nigh thee
 As they neck's vein.'

Much did love enchant me
 And made much guile;
 Love's guile and enchantment
 Capture me the while.

In ignorance and folly
 When my wings I spread,
 From palace unto prison
 I was swiftly sped.

Now I would tell
 How thither thou mayst come;
 But ah, my pen is broke
 And I am dumb.

A..J. Arberry

'Persian Poems', an Anthology of verse translations
 edited by A.J.Arberry, Everyman's Library, 1972


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