1. O sleepless eyelids through the night awake
Since we parted, can you bear to slumber take?

2. Can chained affairs their raging hopes forsake?
Can hearts, save by the breath of sighs, their ache

3. Of longing cure? Can wounded men forsake
The flames which in their wounded breasts awake?

4. The lion in his den asleep at night
Dreams of pursuing deer in headlong flight.

5. Can shepherd follow still his twinkling star
Save to the beds where his loved comrades are?

6. Down poured the tears like rivers in full spate,
And hearts oppressed sat grieving by the gate.

7. How can the days a wounded heart elate
When on the rocks naught stirs its blood innate?

8. Fates pitiless have brought to nothingness
All dearest things; none from their grasp released.

9. No heart escapes the shafts they deadly send;
Their hands wield bows that curb what would ascend.

10. Look: naught but pain makes up the sum of life;
Mankind but mourners sad, with mirth at strife.

11. Had they but probed things' inner springs, they too
Would all turn hermits, sages not a few.

12. Naught the two eras new succeeding show
Save ruin of our honor 'neath their blow

13. At the arbitrament where judgments flow.
What though to Wazir's glory one attach

14. Palisades firm 'gainst shocks that would dispatch
Lesser than he? Not only this; the niche

15. Of piety enshrines him justly which
Defends him. He a noble dame of worth,

16. A stainless peerless mother, grieves. Her dearth
For him a wound parental, undearth'd

17. Of aid paternal. Whenso the athirst
Ask clouds for rain fields parching 'neath the worst

18. Simoon, 'tis she they name, of covenants first.
Not e'en the purest pearl matched her pure rounds.

19. No cloistered maid such strict seclusion founds.
But for thy virtues lavished from on high,

20. Thou neededst naught. Let meaner merits die!
No single soul e'er gathered every grace;

21. Though talents thronged in one small dwelling-place,
For Minister and noble counselor

22. Of Osman's race beneficent, decor
And honor win, whose aims transcend the tide

23. Of purpose vulgarest. I espied
Thee from high Lebanon win thy degree

24. In virtues high swayed by no chance that be.
Just government so led thy willing feet,

25. Returned thee, dearer than an only sweet
And darling son unto his sire's heart. Greet

26. With grace and probity whoe'er thou meet;
And thy pure mien so high all wrong above,

27. Who speak of thee, speak naught but words of love.
For had they taxed him all thy thanks to pay,

28. His vines for thee had poured libations gay
Till every branch ran wine. Thy sleepless care

29. Watchful forever that thy folk no snare
May trap, o'ertops the sluggard couch. Sincerely

30. I served my Sultan's reign august, his peer he,
As fits; and what thou wouldst I sought to steer me

31. In ministry; foeman to quell or friend to cheer. Oft
Have I praised thee in verse. Still be thou blest!

32. Foes menace, but far more shall gladness crest
The coming wave. Thy deeds wholesome attest

33. Wisdom in all things, so no aim expressed
By others reached the moderate balance, best

34. Ideal for mankind. Thy Maker blest
Thy justice, mercy, knowledge that life's sand

35. Runs out; man is not deathless found. O planned
High on hope's peaks thy course. My tuneful band

36. And songs still celebrate our monarch's hand
Stretched over loyal liegemen through the land.

37. Thy rank and place I pray the Lord maintain,
My friend defending and thy foemen bane.