Ne'er a corner for the plaintive bulbul's nest remaineth now; Ne'er a palm-tree 'neath whose kindly shade is rest remaineth now. Day and night some balm I've sought for, to relieve my wounded heart; Ne'er a cure within the heavens' turquoise chest remaineth now. From its source, through every country, searched have I, but all in vain— Ne'er a single drop, in mercy's fountain blest, remaineth now. Empty earthen pots are reckoned one with jewels rich and rare; Ne'er a scale in value's mart the worth to test remaineth now. 'Neath the earth may now the needy hide themselves, Nabi, away; Ne'er a turret on the fort of interest remaineth now. POEMS OF BAQI A QAISDA ON SULTAN SULEIMAN One night when all the battlements Heaven's castle doth display, Illumed and decked were, with the shining lamps, the stars' array, Amidst the host of gleaming stars the Moon lit up his torch; Athwart the field of Heaven with radiance beamed the Milky Way. The Secretary of the Spheres had ta'en his meteor-pen, That writer of his signature whom men and jinns obey. There, at the banquet of the sky, had Venus struck her lyre, In mirth and happiness, delighted, joyed and smiling gay. Taking the keynote for her tune 'neath in the vaulted sphere, The tambourinist Sun her visage bright had hid away. Armed with a brand of gleaming gold had leapt into the plain The Swordsman of the sky's expanse, of heaven's field of fray. To give direction to the weighty matters of the earth Had Jupiter, the wise, lit up reflection's taper's ray. There raised aloft old Saturn high upon the Seventh Sphere Sitting like Indian elephant-conductor on did stray. "What means this decking of the universe?" I wond'ring said; When, lo! with meditation's gaze e'en whilst I it survey, Casting its beams on every side, o'er all earth rose the Sun, O'er the horizons, e'en as Seal of Suleiman's display. The eye of understanding looked upon this wondrous sight; At length the soul's ear learned the secret hid in this which lay: What is it that hath decked earth's hall with splendors such as this, Saving the might and fortune of the King who earth doth sway? He who sits high upon the throne above all crowned kings, The Hero of the battlefield of dread Keyani fray, Jemshid of happiness and joy, Darius of the fight, Khusrev of right and clemency, Iskender of his day! Lord of the East and West! King whom the kings of earth obey! Prince of the Epoch! Sultan Suleiman! Triumphant Aye!