The Kadisah of Haji Abdu El-Yezdi

What Truths hath gleaned that Sage consumed

by many a moon that waxt and waned?
What Prophet-strain be his to sing?

What hath his old Experience gained?

There is no God, no man-made God;

a bigger, stronger, crueller man;
Black phantom of our baby-fears,

ere Thought, the life of Life, began.

Right quoth the Hindu Prince of old,*

An Ishwara for one I nill,
Th almighty everlasting Good

who cannot bate th Eternal Ill:

• Buddha.

Your gods may be, what shows they are?

hear Chinas Perfect Sage declare;*
And being, what to us be they

who dwell so darkly and so far?

• Confucius.

All matter hath a birth and death;

tis made, unmade and made anew;
We choose to call the Maker God:

such is the Zâhids owly view.

You changeful finite Creatures strain

(rejoins the Drawer of the Wine)*