OR, THE BOOK OF LOVE
7
Along the spandrels; on the coping-stones
Tender deep things from Sura sixty-seven—
The "Chapter of the Kingdom"—blazoning
"Blessed is He that hath the Kingdom! He
Made Life and Death to prove ye; and He made
The seven spheres of Heaven—each by each;
Say he is God the Merciful!" and, then,
"Only the pure of heart enter the gates,
Enter God's Garden!"
See! that might be this,
If Paradise had portals like Jahan's!
For, through the vaulted door, opens to sight
A glorious garden—green, forever green,
Since hither comes no harsh nor biting time
To strip the buds, but, all the warm year through,
The palms rise feathered, and the pipal-boughs
Whisper men's doings to the listening gods
With watchful leaves; citrons and rose-apples
