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Eternal torment some sour wits foretell
For those who follow wine and love too well,—
Fear not, for God were left alone in Heaven
If all the lovely lovers burnt in hell.
He who believes in hell and knows Thy grace
Shall surely find in hell his resting-place,
Keep for the mosque these fables of Thy wrath—
No man believes them who hath seen Thy face.
I cannot think that the Beloved Friend,
Who made the world so fair, should choose to rend
This lovely curtain of the night and day,
Nor break—unless some day He means to mend.
Yea! I believe that He who made the skies
Is wonderfully good, and very wise,—
Beloved Master! Hast thou never seen
The tears of pity gather in His eyes?
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