O clemency, thou hast the whole round world Led captive by thy rule of righteousness. Through all thine age of sighs and bitter tears, Thou only art beloved by night and day, And in that age, great Alexander sees The wolf and lamb together take their food. No robber now in ambush waits to kill, Our only ambush is in woman’s looks; And no man beats his breast for grief and woe, But beats a drum tap in the mood of joy. How shall I estimate thy happy peace! The happy splendor of thy sanctity! Were all the trees and bushes turned to pens, And every leaf were changed into a book, And the seven seas were darkened into ink, And every space was written o’er and o’er, By thousand writers, only one exploit, Out of one thousand, would recorded be. And as we here would offer up our prayer, Let our petition be on justice based. For thou, as is the sun among the stars, Art potentate o’er all the climes of heaven; Sagacious Padishah and Lord of Light Art thou; for wisdom has enthroned thee Shah. May God decree full length of years to thee, And bring a just dishonor on thy foes. Thee may God’s grace conduct to happiness; And fill the earth with thy transcendent name. Long mayst thou wear the crown upon thy brow, And may thine enemies be brought to naught. God grant long life to all the royal house And give the land joy, rain, and industry. May age and peace and happiness arrive, And all thy reign with endless glory shine. Who to this prayer of mine responds Amen May no misfortune ever plague his life! IX THE BEGINNING OF THE FASCINATING NARRATIVE AND OF THE HEART-RAVISHING FABLE