Classical Arabic Literature by Geert Jan Van Gelder

Author:Geert Jan Van Gelder
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: New York University Press
Published: 2013-08-14T16:00:00+00:00

The sword is now no longer better than the pen: both are

made subject to a hero who with them achieved the heights.

If glory’s fruits are plucked fresh from its branch,

the planting of the tree was only theirs.

Whenever they compete in hope and reach the goal

they share the qualities of precedence.

Time made them swallow bitter discord—Fate

is fickle and will sever bonds of kin—

At last, when foolish ignorance’s eye fell fast asleep

and reason’s eye woke up, they gnashed their teeth remorsefully.

Now both are held in Abū l-Jaysh’s hand, which has

created clouds that always rain with boons.

Their severed bond is knotted once again,

their unity, once broken up, is now restored.

O king, whose high ambitions reach the sky,

defying all ambitions aiming high:

Had I not tried to make a novel kind of eulogy on you,

I would not have praised Pen and Sword prior to you.

’Twas but a hint, by which I have revealed a kind

of eloquence that until now was veiled.

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