Classic and Contemporary Poetry
THE WELCOME, by FARID OD-DIN MOHAMMAD EBN EBRAHIM ATTAR First Line: One night shah mahmud, who had been of late Last Line: "poor flue more royal than another's throne." Alternate Author Name(s): Attar, Ferideddin; Attar, Farid-uddin Subject(s): Friendship | ||||||||
ONE night Shah Mahmud, who had been of late Somewhat distempered with Affairs of State, Strolled through the Streets disguised, as wont to do -- And coming to the Baths, there on the Flue Saw the poor Fellow who the Furnace fed Sitting beside his Water-jug and Bread. Mahmud stept in -- sat down -- unasked took up And tasted of the untasted Loaf and Cup, Saying within himself, "Grudge but a bit, And, by the Lord, your Head shall pay for it!" So, having rested, warmed and satisfied Himself without a Word on either side, At last the wayward Sultan rose to go. And then at last his Host broke silence -- "So? -- Art satisfied? Well, Brother, and Day Or Night, remember, when you come this Way And want a bit of Provender -- why, you Are welcome, and if not -- why, welcome too" -- The Sultan was so tickled with the whim Of this quaint Entertainment and of him Who offered it, that many a Night again Stoker and Shah forgathered in that vein -- Till, the poor Fellow having stood the Test Of true Good-fellowship, Mahmud confessed One Night the Sultan that had been his Guest: And in requital of the scanty Dole The poor Man offered with so large a soul, Bid him ask any Largess that he would -- A Throne -- if he would have it, so he should. The Poor Man kissed the Dust, and "All," said he, "I ask is what aud where I am to be; If but the Shah from time to time will come As now, and see me in the lowly Home His presence makes a Palace, and my own Poor Flue more royal than another's Throne." | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...YOU & I BELONG IN THIS KITCHEN by JUAN FELIPE HERRERA JASON THE REAL by TONY HOAGLAND NO RESURRECTION by ROBINSON JEFFERS CHAMBER MUSIC: 17 by JAMES JOYCE CHAMBER MUSIC: 18 by JAMES JOYCE THE STONE TABLE by GALWAY KINNELL ALMSWOMAN by EDMUND CHARLES BLUNDEN TO AN ENEMY by MAXWELL BODENHEIM SONNET: 10. TO A FRIEND by WILLIAM LISLE BOWLES BIRD CONVERSATIONS, SELECTION by FARID OD-DIN MOHAMMAD EBN EBRAHIM ATTAR A VIEW ACROSS THE ROMAN CAMPAGNA by ELIZABETH BARRETT BROWNING |
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