THE HASCHISH. Of all that Orient lands can vaunt What pictures to the taster rise, Set all aglow with Houri glances! The рорру visions of Cathay, The heavy beer-trance of the Suabian; The wizard lights and demon play Of nights Walpurgis and Arabian ! The Mollah and the Christian dog Change place in mad metempsychosis; The Arab by his desert well Sits choosing from some Caliph's daughters, And hears his single camel's bell Sound welcome to his regal quarters. The Koran's reader makes complaint Drinks Tokay and blasphemes the Prophet! Such scenes that Eastern plant awakes; The preacher eats, and straight appears And Heaven itself a snug plantation! The man of peace, about whose dreams The noisiest Democrat, with ease, The Judge partakes, and sits ere long O, potent plant! so rare a taste Has never Turk or Gentoo gotten; |