XII.

A Book of Verses underneath the Bough, A Jug of Wine, a Loaf of Bread--and Thou Beside me singing in the Wilderness-- Oh, Wilderness were Paradise enow!

This pair of quatrains must be considered together. They owe their origin to O. 155 and O. 149.

If a loaf of wheaten bread be forthcoming, A gourd of wine, and a thigh-bone of mutton, And then, if thou and I be sitting in the wilderness,-- That were a joy not within the power of any Sultan.

_Ref._: O. 155, C. 474, L. 697, B. 688, S.P. 442, P. 229, B. ii. 591. T. 292, P. iv. 24, P. v. 109.--W. 479, N. 448, V. 749.

I desire a flask of ruby wine and a book of verses Just enough to keep me alive,[35] and half a loaf is needful, And then, that thou and I should sit in the wilderness, Is better than the kingdom of a Sultan.

_Ref._: O. 149, S.P. 408.--W. 452, N. 413, E.C. 13.