Classic Poem

(SULTAN MURA D IV.)

G AZEL

I N R EPLY TO THE P RECEDING

To relieve Bagd a d, O H a fiz, man of tried might, is there none?
Aid from us thou seek'st, then with thee host of fame bright, is there none?
" I'm the Queen the foe who'll checkmate, " thus it was that thou didst say;
Room for action now against him with the brave Knight, is there none?
Though we know thou hast no rival in vain-glorious, empty boasts,
Yet to take dread vengeance on thee, say, a Judge right, is there none?
Whilst thou layest claim to manhood, whence this cowardice of thine?
Thou art frightened, yet beside thee fearing no fight, is there none?
Heedless of thy duty thou, the R a fiz i s have ta'en Bagd a d;
Shall not God thy foe be? Day of Reckoning, sure, right, is there none?
They have wrecked Eb u -Han i fa's city through thy lack of care;
O in thee of Isl a m's and the Prophet's zeal, light, is there none?
God, who favored us, whilst yet we knew not, with the Sultanate,
Shall again accord Bagd a d, decreed of God's might, is there none?
Thou hast brought on Isl a m's army direful ruin with thy bribes;
Have we not heard how thou say'st: " Word of this foul blight, is there none? "
With the aid of God, fell vengeance on the enemy to take,
By me skilled and aged vez i r, pious, zeal-dight, is there none?
Now shall I appoint commander a vez i r of high emprize,
Will not Khizar and the Prophet aid him? guide right, is there none?
Is it that thou dost the whole world void and empty now conceive?
Of the Seven Climes, Mur a d i , King of high might, is there none?