Letters and Literary Remains of Edward Fitzgerald Edited by William Aldis Wright: In seven volumes |
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 | Letters and Literary Remains of Edward Fitzgerald |  |
One night The Sháh of Yúnan as he sate
Contemplating his measureless extent
Of Empire, and the glory wherewithal,
As with a garment robed, he ruled alone;
Then found he nothing wanted to his heart
Unless a Son, who, while he lived, might share,
And, after him, his robe of Empire wear.
And then he turn'd him to The Sage, and said:
‘O Darling of the soul of Iflatún;
‘To whom with all his school Aristo bows;
‘Yea, thou that an Eleventh to the Ten
‘Intelligences addest: Thou hast read
‘The yet unutter'd secret of my Heart;
‘Answer—Of all that man desires of God
‘Is any blessing greater than a Son?
‘Man's prime Desire; by whom his name and he
‘Shall live beyond himself; by whom his eyes
‘Shine living, and his dust with roses blows.
‘A Foot for thee to stand on, and an Arm
‘To lean by; sharp in battle as a sword;
‘Salt of the banquet-table; and a tower
‘Of salutary counsel in Diván;
‘One in whose youth a Father shall prolong
‘His years, and in his strength continue strong.’
Contemplating his measureless extent
Of Empire, and the glory wherewithal,
As with a garment robed, he ruled alone;
Then found he nothing wanted to his heart
214
And, after him, his robe of Empire wear.
And then he turn'd him to The Sage, and said:
‘O Darling of the soul of Iflatún;
‘To whom with all his school Aristo bows;
‘Yea, thou that an Eleventh to the Ten
‘Intelligences addest: Thou hast read
‘The yet unutter'd secret of my Heart;
‘Answer—Of all that man desires of God
‘Is any blessing greater than a Son?
‘Man's prime Desire; by whom his name and he
‘Shall live beyond himself; by whom his eyes
‘Shine living, and his dust with roses blows.
‘A Foot for thee to stand on, and an Arm
‘To lean by; sharp in battle as a sword;
‘Salt of the banquet-table; and a tower
‘Of salutary counsel in Diván;
‘One in whose youth a Father shall prolong
‘His years, and in his strength continue strong.’
When the shrewd Sage had heard The Sháh's discourse
In commendation of a Son, he said:
‘Thus much of a Good Son, whose wholesome growth
‘Approves the root he grew from. But for one
‘Kneaded of Evil—well, could one revoke
‘His generation, and as early pull
‘Him and his vices from the string of Time.
‘Like Noah's, puff'd with insolence and pride,
‘Who, reckless of his Father's warning call,
‘Was by the voice of Allah from the door
‘Of refuge in his Father's Ark debarr'd,
‘And perish'd in the Deluge. And as none
Who long for children, may their children choose,
‘Beware of teazing Allah for a Son,
‘Whom having, you may have to pray to lose.’
In commendation of a Son, he said:
‘Thus much of a Good Son, whose wholesome growth
‘Approves the root he grew from. But for one
‘Kneaded of Evil—well, could one revoke
‘His generation, and as early pull
‘Him and his vices from the string of Time.
215
‘Who, reckless of his Father's warning call,
‘Was by the voice of Allah from the door
‘Of refuge in his Father's Ark debarr'd,
‘And perish'd in the Deluge. And as none
Who long for children, may their children choose,
‘Beware of teazing Allah for a Son,
‘Whom having, you may have to pray to lose.’
| Letters and Literary Remains of Edward Fitzgerald | |