The Scented Garden

Ecstasy stronger than work of man or wrath of God. 101 XXVI THE TOWER OF SHINAR1 On Shinar plain a tower was built By man’s ambitious fear and guilt. (But Allah smote it with his fire : — Who sees it yonder in the silt ?) But I have built a higher tower Of love and fame for thee, o jilt !2 And yet a higher,3 this member firm, Fit for thy podex, an thou wilt. Nor Allah smites it, nor the Jinn, Until its pearly wine is spilt. Come in the cool of evening Beneath the figured goathair4 quilt ! Then will I gallop through the vale My spear at thy djirid to tilt.5 Thy buttock-leaves to El Qahar Are of his song the lovely lilt. 1. This is the very same old fable we learnt about the Tower of Babel. 2. Jilt — the Persian has a coarser word — our English “ cockteaser.” But a translator must be allowed both latitude and modesty.