Sol 5.6

  1.    

    And the sweetest hour of life to me

    is an evening when I withdraw with my two sons.

  2. ،    

    ،

    When I come home, calling my name is the wean—

    —ed child, while the nursing babe crawls toward me.

  3.    

    I seat this one beside me

    and set that one upon my knees.

  4.    

    I wage war on winter with a coal brazier

    and spread both my palms above it.

  5. :

    There I cast off the burdens of my day,

    as though I had met with nothing all day.

  6. «»   

    I fancy myself a shah between my two children,

    and fancy my hut a lofty palace.

  7.    

    Then every food I see is delicious,

    and every drink I find delightful.

  8. ؟   

    ،

    What need have I of nourishment and water?

    My two children suffice me as provisions and refreshment.

  9.    

    : ، : ؟

    What intimate talk can compare with my talk with my child?

    He says, “Father,” and I say, “My dear son.”

  10.    

    ،

    And how much idle chatter the child gives voice—

    —to, only for it to become a tender, moving tale.

  11.    

    More eloquent than the most eloquent of men is my child:

    he tries to speak, yet remains tongue-tied.

  12.    

    Here I relive the former days of my life

    and turn back, folding the nights away.

  13. ، !   

    !

    O my two sons, how dear to me is whatever befalls you!

    And how lightly I bear whatever you two dislike!

  14.    

    ،

    May God preserve you both from the vicissitudes—

    —of time, and keep you mine for many years.

  15.    

    May God spare you both the harm of weeping

    and guard my ears from its sound.

  16.    

    ؟

    Are you two morsels of my liver,

    or are you the two pupils of my eyes?

  17. :    

    ؟

    Ah, would I knew: will my life be prolonged

    so I may reap what my own hands have planted?

  18. ،    

    ، ؟

    And will I witness my two children reach youth, then

    grow into manhood, noble and proud?

  19.    

    ، ،

    Your father is a man among men of words;

    so you, my son, be a man of action.

  20.    

    For people scorn none but the man of letters,

    and honor none but the wealthy man.

Sol 5.6