1. Rise and strive, or else just sit still,
Not all who seek the heights their hopes fulfill,

2. The coward slept on down, ashamed to yield,
While the valiant's eyes no rest or slumber filled.

3. Whose zeal to serve his lord knows least repose,
Most rightly of that band the chieftain goes.

4. First the leg that toils the throne attains,
While hands that grasp from toil bear honored stains.

5. If man's esteem came with mere ease and calm,
The sword would rest unblooded in its sheath embalmed.

6. Ah, you have seen the heights, but from them strayed,
Lost from the paths by night's own shadows swayed!

7. O pillar of the kingdom - yet what fame
Have you upheld that time will not defame?

8. This day God has decreed we must prevail,
And turn to truth what dreaming hopers hail.

9. When you appeared, radiant as the moon
That dims all stars beside it, late or soon,

10. The sun himself draws in his robes of light,
And cold stars cluster in the vault of night.

11. Prance lightly by, he quivers all compact,
Charge, and those hooves will drum the field impact.

12. Crowned with a turban, though it were more meet
Upon a warrior's head to bind a crown complete.

13. Held in by you, though that same steed would race
Free, and men call him charger held in place!

14. Transfer him back and forth twixt stall and field,
As though you shifted ice, and ice would yield.

15. Your awe has gentled him - now he will go
Light as if haltered, yet allowed free flow.

16. The weight of gems gives way before the grace
Of his smooth neck, gliding as if time could erase.

17. Caparisoned and saddled, though before
Your hand none rode him, saddleless he bore.

18. A white without peer, pledges never given
Save to a brother, loyal as you've striven.

19. By night a campfire, or a saddlebed,
By day the earth's broad carpet 'neath us spread.

20. You granted me the glory that I know,
And man can thrive on what familiar grows.

21. The kingdom's pride in men like you holds fast,
Guided aright, till envious time has passed.

22. And how not so, when from your heart of hearts
Flows the black spring of honors set apart?

23. Had I the means, I'd journey but to be
Your pilgrim guest, and share your dignity.

24. You who could gather what was sought before
By me in fragments, make my quest no more,

25. As though all I could wish before were brought,
And made a whole, when you yourself have wrought.

26. You bid me glory in your name; you grieve
To hear me praise, or scornfully take leave.