SULTAN. SINCE you turned Dervish, long ago, By true report your life I know, And high advance in wisdom's lore; And much, believe me, I deplore The day I lost -- by envious Fate -- My good Prime Minister of State. DERVISH. Thanks! gracious Sire! the life I live Has more of peace than power can give; Here, in my cloister, I have learned Contempt of rank; and all I earned Of power and pelf in your employ Would poorly stead my present joy. SULTAN. No doubt! -- and as for power and pelf, I'd like a quiet life myself; And yet your wisdom I would fain Employ to serve my realm again; The truly wise are truly great, And such, alone, should rule the state. DERVISH. 'T is true, your Majesty; and yet, I would not pay the hateful debt: You call me wise; well -- be it so; But being wise, I must forego An office which (am I too bold?) A wise man would not choose to hold! | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...DAT GAL O' MINE by JAMES WELDON JOHNSON NIGHT AND DAY: 4 by ISAAC ROSENBERG THE ENGLISH GRAVEYARD IN MALACCA by KAREN SWENSON BIRTHDAY OF DANIEL WEBSTER by OLIVER WENDELL HOLMES THE VALLEY OF THE SHADOW by EDWIN ARLINGTON ROBINSON THE LONELY STREET by WILLIAM CARLOS WILLIAMS SPORTSMEN IN PARADISE by T. P. CAMERON WILSON |