The Luzumiyat of Abu’l-Ala, XXVII

 

translated from the Arabic by Ameen Rihani

So, too, the creeds of Man: the one prevails
Until the other comes; and this one fails
      When that one triumphs; ay, the lonesome world
Will always want the latest fairy-tales.

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.