The Mind

To clay the mighty Sultan must return

by Abu al-Ala al-Ma'arri 973–1057

Translated by Ameen Rihani (1918) · From The Luzumiyat of Abu'l-Ala (1918)

The Mind

To clay the mighty Sultan must return
And, chancing, help a praying slave to burn
His midnight oil before the face of Him,
Who of the Sultan makes an incense urn.

MLA

al-Ma'arri, Abu al-Ala. “To clay the mighty Sultan must return.” Translated by Ameen Rihani. Poetry Codex, poetrycodex.com/poem/al-maarri/115/.

Chicago

al-Ma'arri, Abu al-Ala. “To clay the mighty Sultan must return.” Translated by Ameen Rihani. Poetry Codex. https://poetrycodex.com/poem/al-maarri/115/.

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