LXV.

If but the Vine and Love-abjuring Band Are in the Prophet's Paradise to stand, Alack, I doubt the Prophet's Paradise Were empty as the hollow of one's Hand.

This quatrain is inspired by O. 127 and by C. 60.

To drink wine and consort with a company of the beautiful Is better than practising the hypocrisy of the zealot; If the lover and the drunkard are doomed to hell, Then no one will see the face of heaven.

_Ref._: O. 127, L. 608, B. 601, S.P. 339, P. 330, B. ii. 453, P. v. 151.--W. 381, N. 342, V. 655.

FitzGerald was evidently «reminded of» this by N. 64 which is C. 60.

They say that drunkards will go to hell, It is a repugnant creed, the heart cannot believe it; If drunken lovers are doomed to hell, To-morrow heaven will be bare like the palm of one's hand.

_Ref._: C. 60, L. 158, B. 155, S.P. 64, T. 308, P. v. 29.--W. 67, N 64, V. 156.