Sol 5.6

  1. Indeed, sovereignty does not endure—and should it endure,

    it does so only through two things not found among humankind:

  2. slaying enemies with the sword of might, should they raise

    their heads to perpetrate tyranny and insolent pride;

  3. then largesse toward those whose loyalty is sincere, together with

    lavishing kindness on desert-dwellers and townsfolk alike.

  4. So if you see a king whose hand has fallen short

    of this and that, this is the first sign of divine decree.

  5. Were there no hardship, authority would be shared

    between a man of consequence among us and one held in contempt.

  6. Then tell Ali’s son: Turn away from brooding;

    you are not the first man of counsel and discernment.

  7. Entrust the matter to the All-Merciful, and accept whatever

    He has decreed among His creatures by way of these admonitory lessons.

Sol 5.6