Sol 5.6

  1. Today the Damascene’s light has flooded Damascus,

    and there the lofty light of joy has swelled.

  2. A greeting ordained, as I held out my hand to him,

    that my fire be quenched by a greeting’s coolness,

  3. and that his parting affect one who dreads it

    as love’s malady affects human bodies.

  4. I learned that a single minute of the anguish of

    farewell makes the ardent lover forget a whole year’s delight.

  5. Then his council’s tears streamed down—the tears through which

    separation wounded the very heart of meeting.

  6. Were it not for love of homelands spreading its treachery

    to their noble sons, he could return only blame-laden,

  7. away from lords, garden-like in their smiling welcome,

    bright-faced, excellent men and eminent lights,

  8. and from a city that makes the stranger forget his homeland

    through the sweetness of honor and hospitality.

  9. So to Damascus today belong joy and bliss,

    and triumph, after the long succession of days,

  10. through the radiant, resplendent one—nay, through the lord, the

    mighty chief—nay, through the peerless champion:

  11. Anton—nay, the altun, the gold of Damascus—just as

    the Shah of the Turks and Persians called him.

  12. A man whom, whenever a petitioner calls upon him in need,

    he answers with honor and high esteem.

  13. His skill leaves obscure matters

    like a fair maiden standing unveiled.

  14. In place of Indian-steel swords, he is content with a reed pen

    that cleaves the hearts of time’s calamities.

  15. Rule, O son of a house of glory; take pride in piety

    and generosity when the years turn miserly.

  16. And remain safe for us, O star of the East, through whom

    God has shown mercy to the lands of Syria.

Sol 5.6