In Praise of Shah Sheikh Abu Ishaq

The fast is over, the cold has gone; spring and the feast are here. Where is our cupbearer? Tell him to come and bring the wine. On the morning of the feast, pour me a cup, for through Ramadan we burned ourselves up with prayer beads, piety, and begging pardon. Any moment that passes without wine, a lover, and music, reason's accountant refuses even to count. It is a treasure, count it as treasure, seize the chance: wealth, youth, love, and the scent of spring. Come and set up the feast of joy, for how sweet they are: wine, green grass, running water, and the face of a beloved. For each cup you fill full of wine, in all sincerity, you will repeat a prayer for the fortune of the king of the world. The beauty of this world and of the faith, Shah Sheikh Abu Ishaq, master of the world, the king who holds the whole earth. A star among the armies of destiny in his charge, and fate's own power; a sky in giving, a sea in bounty, a mountain in steady calm. A ruler whose sword keeps the order of the world, a king of kings whose justice turns the very heavens. The echo of his glorious fame gave the mountains their stillness, the shooting star of his swift resolve gave the wind its rest. From the force of his spear the stars tremble, and from the gifts of his pen the world is filled with generosity. When his steady judgment cast its shadow over the sky, the setting sun's coin was proven pure and true. A refuge of grace, so generous that when he moves, the world and all it holds seem cheap and worthless. My lord, you are such that, faced with your greatness, the heavens declare: 'There is no rival to him.' The least courier of your court is the moon, a ring in its ear like a servant; the humblest slave of your command is Arcturus, holding the lance. As long as the moon, the sun, and Saturn keep their path and orbit in this rust-green garden of the sky, may you live in triumph and good fortune as long as you wish, enjoying life, high rank, youth, and luck. Your enemy trapped, your friend content, your fortune young, the heavens obedient, the world your servant, and luck your companion.