1. O you who sheathe the sharp sword in its scabbard
Yet refuse that it should ever be unburnished

2. For white rust gathers on lids that close on tears
And standing water stagnates if left too long

3. Greetings, my Lord and Master - though for me
No glory attends that I should serve as deputy

4. So cast aside the excuses of your silence
Can you not find the way to speak?

5. Strum the chord that once our hearts echoed to
Sing again the Nile song

6. Repeat the beauty of your poems' reign
Do a kindness to your lifelong friend

7. He still hopes it will be said he stumbled
Till God should lay Ishmael low