Ecstasy stronger than work of man or wrath of God. 
101 
 
 
 
XXVI 
 
THE TOWER OF SHINAR1 
 
 
On Shinar plain a tower was built 
By man’s ambitious fear and guilt. 
 
(But Allah smote it with his fire : — 
Who sees it yonder in the silt ?) 
 
But I have built a higher tower 
Of love and fame for thee, o jilt !2 
 
And yet a higher,3 this member firm, 
Fit for thy podex, an thou wilt. 
 
Nor Allah smites it, nor the Jinn, 
Until its pearly wine is spilt. 
 
Come in the cool of evening 
Beneath the figured goathair4 quilt ! 
 
Then will I gallop through the vale 
My spear at thy djirid to tilt.5 
 
Thy buttock-leaves to El Qahar 
Are of his song the lovely lilt. 
 
 
 
1.  This is the very same old fable we learnt 
about the Tower of Babel. 
2.  Jilt — the Persian has a coarser word — our 
English “ cockteaser.”  But a translator must be 
allowed both latitude and modesty.