XXIV: Though kings and princes have made their exit…

Though kings and princes have made their exit from the world,
It hath not become, in anywise, imperfect or defective thereby.

Though thousands, every moment, perish and pass away,
Thousands, likewise, every instant, are into it brought.

Of their exits and their entrances there is no computation:
They are like unto the fathomless ocean that rolleth along.

At another's sorrows, man doth not become affected:
He is alone sensitive of what happeneth to himself.

One, so illustrious as the Prophet, passed from the world away;
Yet this world did not become ruined by that separation.

When such like eminent people have gone down to the dust,
How shall be remembered, by any one, such dogs as thou and I?

Shouldst thou sift, over and over, the whole world's dust,
Thou wilt not again discover either Dara or Shah Jahan!

Not even a trace remaineth of their names or their records,
Who laid claim unto glory, and sought, from posterity, fame?

Go thou, and see for thyself, if I speak falsely--
Look upon the graves of thy father, and grandfather too!

Behold! what have those mouths and lips become,
Which, on both thine eyes, were wont to kiss thee fondly?

They who used to hail thee with "Thy sacrifice, thy sacrifice,"
Let them now call out unto thee, "Thy sacrifice am I!"

I am quite amazed with the glowing words of Rahman,
That in the collection of his odes, fire hath not burst out.