Poetry Explorer

Classic and Contemporary Poetry

WOO NOT THE WORLD by MUHAMMAD AL-MU'TAMID II

First Line: WOO NOT THE WORLD TOO RASHLY, FOR BEHOLD
Last Line: AND PUT ON WISDOM WITH THE ROBE OF DUST.
Subject(s): AGING;
WOO not the world too rashly, for behold,
Beneath the painted silk and broidering,
It is a faithless and inconstant thing.
(Listen to me, Mu'tamid, growing old.)

And we—that dreamed youth's blade would never rust,
Hoped wells from the mirage, roses from the sand—
The riddle of the world shall understand
And put on wisdom with the robe of dust.



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