The Luzumiyat of Abu’l-Ala, CXIII

translated from the Arabic by Ameen Rihani

How many like us in the ages past
Have blindly soared, though like a pebble cast,
       Seeking the veil of mystery to tear,
But fell accurst beneath the burning blast?

Credit

The Luzumiyat of Abu’l-Ala (James T. White & Co., 1920) by Abū al-‘Alā’ al-Ma‘arrī. Translated from the Arabic by Ameen Rihani. Copyright © 1920 by Ameen Rihani. This poem is in the public domain.