19 MAY 1950, Page 14

Fate The Magician

From the Persian of Nlshani, seal-cutter to the Emperor Akbar

(1556-1605) THE old Enchanter, in his patchwork cloak, Sits weaving spells to bind us to his throne, While, seeing nothing in the turquoise vault, We dwell in fear, uncertain and alone— Forgetting that one night he made the moon (By magic from a fish with silver scales), Which in his blue glass bottle, flecked with stars, Unerring on her course serenely sails ;

He closed the stopper, with a thousand seals

Of wax the candle of the moon supplied, Since when no mortal has evaded Fate, However long, however hard, he tried.

J. C. E. BOWEN.