Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, PEARLS OF THE FAITH: 54. AL-KAWI, by EDWIN ARNOLD


Poetry Explorer

Classic and Contemporary Poetry

PEARLS OF THE FAITH: 54. AL-KAWI, by                 Poet Analysis     Poet's Biography
First Line: Consider them that serve
Last Line: Be thy hand o'er us day and night!
Subject(s): God; Islam


Thou mighty One! Whose mercy hath upraised
Mankind to praise Thee, be Thou hereby praised!

Consider them that serve
The false gods, how they lay in golden dishes
Honey and fruits and fishes
Before their idols; and the green fly comes,
Shoots through the guarded gates, and hums
Scorn of their offering, stealing what she will;
And none of these great gods the thief can kill,
So swift she is and small:
And none of all
Can make one little fly, for all their state;
So feeble are they, and so falsely great.
Ye people of the stocks and stones! herein
A parable is set against your sin.
But Allah high doth rule
Whose hand made all things, being Powerful."

Al-Kawî! King of power and might!
Be Thy hand o'er us day and night!





Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!


Other Poems of Interest...
Home: PoetryExplorer.net