English
Ode 21: In Praise of Shams al-Din Husayn Alkani
Praise God most high, that to the fury of the envious, good fortune has returned and blessing is bound firm to our brows.
Why should the singer beat only the drum of good news? Today Venus herself should come and play the lute.
My God, how blessed a dawn broke this morning, when even its breath carries the scent of ambergris and aloewood.
Fate has granted the easy reaching of our hopes; the turning world brings tidings that our wishes are fulfilled.
The mercy of a Lord who is gentle and generous; the grace of one who cherishes his servants, merciful and loving.
If someone tried to give thanks for this blessing, a whole lifetime of prostration could never suffice.
The bearer of good news reports that from the heart of Iraq a victorious delegation comes, bringing generous gifts.
God has sent Fars a blessing from the unseen; over the pious a long shade of shelter has spread.
Shams al-Din, shadow of Islam, beauty of the horizons, head of the council, chief of the ranks, commander of armies,
The just lord of the age, of fair character, Husayn, whose equal is nowhere to be found in this world.
Famous for his chivalry and his kindness to the poor, plain to see for his open-handedness and good nature.
No one who asks leaves the reach of his bounty empty-handed; no one in distress is turned away from the door of his grace.
Wisdom demands that you not bring your needs to just anyone, for not every heart and hand brings generosity to life.
Tell the base man to turn away: even if he is as rich as Korah, no one expects unheard-of kindness from him.
The fortunate enjoy their lot and do not grieve for the world, for it stayed with neither Og and Anak nor Ad and Thamud.
Whoever fails to recognize the Lord's grace upon himself will not keep his good fortune long, for he is thankless and ungrateful.
Seek a good name and think of a good end; these two foundations endure, all else is torn down.
I would gladly spend my whole life giving counsel, or offering blame, though only the truly happy will listen.
Everyone speaks, but Sadi's speech is another thing; everyone knows songs, but none like David's psalms.
My words are not bad, since you call them good; gold that the assayer approves is proven pure.
And if the envious, out of his brainless head, says something, what harm to Mary's purity from the malice of the Jews?
The envious eye has no cure but to look on and burn with regret, for it cannot bear to see the one it envies.
You whose generous character cannot be described, and even if it were, its aspects and limits could not be told,
This has always been the longing of mother Earth: to give birth to a blessed child like you.
What can I say? If they set out to count your fair qualities, all the world's people could not exhaust even one part.
May all of them, the people of Islam, work to please you, and may you work to please the One who is worshipped.
May the seat of the realm's council be adorned by you, especially these honored ones who stand and sit before you.
May those who wish you well come to a good end; may those who wish you ill come to a disgraceful finish.
Upon the souls of your fathers, mothers, and ancestors, may God's mercy pour down, as many as the grains of Zarud's sand.