AH, sad are they who know not love, <br />But, far from passion's tears and smiles, <br />Drift down a moonless sea, beyond <br />The silvery coasts of fairy isles. <br /> <br />And sadder they whose longing lips <br />Kiss empty air, and never touch <br />The dear warm mouth of those they love -- <br />Waiting, wasting, suffering much. <br /> <br />But clear as amber, fine as musk, <br />Is life to those who, pilgrim-wise, <br />Move hand in hand from dawn to dusk, <br />Each morning nearer Paradise. <br /> <br />Ah, not for them shall angels pray! <br />They stand in everlasting light, <br />They walk in Allah's smile by day, <br />And slumber in his heart by night.<br /><br />Thomas Bailey Aldrich<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/song-from-the-persian/
