THE WELCOME

One night Shah Mahmúd, 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.
Mahmúd 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,
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 his 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, Mahmúd 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 and 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.

From the Persian of Faríd-Uddin Attat.
Free translation of Edward Ftizgerald.