From the Oman Sea, someone emerged,

Having traveled plains and seas aplenty.

He had seen Arabs, Turks, Tajiks, and Romans,

With knowledge of every kind in his pure soul.

He had roamed the world and gathered wisdom,

Traveled and learned the art of discourse.

Strong in form, like a mighty tree,

But severely withered, bereft of leaves.

Two hundred patches sewn atop one another,

Burnt by hardships, both he and his attire.

He entered a city by the sea's edge,

Where a noble ruler reigned in that land.

Whose nature was noble and mindful of virtue,

And bowed in humility before the poor.

The king’s servants washed him clean,

Body and head cleansed from the dust of the road.

As he bowed his head at the king's threshold,

He prayed, laying his hand upon his chest.

He entered the royal palace,

Saying, 'May your fortune be youthful, and your reign blessed.'

I did not pass through this land to find refuge,

Without witnessing hearts troubled by harm.

I saw no one intoxicated by wine,

Except the taverns themselves, desolate and ruined.

The kingdom needs no embellishment but this,

That it refrains from causing harm to anyone.

He spoke, scattering pearls of wisdom,

In a speech so moving, the king raised his sleeve.

The man’s eloquence pleased the king,

Who summoned him closer and honored him greatly.

He gave him gold and gems in gratitude for his arrival,

And inquired about his origin and homeland.

He recounted all that was asked about his journey,

And gained a place closer than others to the king.

The king, in conversation with himself,

Thought of entrusting him with the role of vizier.

But decided to proceed gradually before announcing it,

So no one would mock his decision as hasty.

He must first be tested for his wisdom,

And his rank should increase according to his skill.

The heart bore the burden of grief many times

For the inexperienced attempts many deeds

When a judge writes a record thoughtfully

He will not feel shame before the learned ones

Take aim when the arrow rests on the bowstring

Not after you have released it from your hand

Like Joseph, one in virtue and discernment

It takes a year for him to become revered

Until much time has passed

None can fathom the depth of a person

He uncovered every kind of virtue in him

The man was wise and pure of faith

He found his nature noble and his reasoning clear

A judge of speech and a knower of people's worth

In wisdom, he surpassed the elders

He seated him as his foremost advisor

He employed such wisdom and knowledge

That his commands and prohibitions sprang from within

He brought a kingdom under his pen's control

From which no soul suffered any harm

He silenced the tongues of all critics

For no wrong word came from his deeds

The envious found not a trace of treachery in him

Their efforts were as fruitless as grinding wheat

From his enlightened heart, the kingdom gained radiance

And the old minister was seized with new grief

He found no flaw in that wise man

On which he could cast reproach

Both the faithful and the ill-willed probed and scoured

But none could breach him by force

The king had two radiant-faced servants

Who always served with loyalty

Two figures as pure as fairies and angels

Like the sun and moon, distinct from each other

Two forms, of which one seemed no more than the other

Reflected in the mirror as each other's equal

The wise man's sweet words

Took root in the hearts of both figures

When they saw that his virtues and character were noble

They became fond of him and his disposition

In him too the human inclination arose,

But not a desire like the shortsighted ones to evil.

He understood peace only then,

When he gazed upon their faces.

If you wish for your power to remain high,

O master, do not attach your heart to the naive.

And even if there is no personal motive involved,

Beware, for it could harm your majesty.

The minister, in this matter, found a way,

And carried the wicked tale to the king.

I do not know what they call this one or who he is!

He will not live harmoniously in this realm.

The travelers live carelessly,

For they are not nurtured by the kingdom and fortune.

I heard he is familiar with his servants,

He is treacherous and lustful.

Such an audacious and corrupt one is unworthy,

To bring disgrace to the king’s court.

Should I forget the king’s bounty,

To witness corruption and remain silent?

One cannot speak quickly based on mere assumption,

I did not tell you until I was certain.

One of my subordinates listened closely,

And embraced him intimately.

I have said this now, O just king,

As I have tested him, so should you.

He described the situation in the worst way,

May no good days come to a wicked man.

When the ill-wisher finds a small flaw,

He sets the hearts of the great on fire.

With a small spark, one can ignite a fire,

And then burn down an ancient tree.

This news heated the king so much,

That he boiled over like a cauldron.

Anger stretched its hand towards the poor man’s blood,

But calmness held back that hand.

For killing the nurtured is not an act of manliness,

Injustice following justice is a cold act.

Do not harm the one you have nurtured,

When he carries your arrow, do not shoot him with it.

One should not nurture him with blessings

If you wish to shed his blood unjustly

Until you are certain of his virtues

He will not become your companion in the royal court

Now until you are sure of his guilt

Do not harm him based on the words of an enemy

The king kept this secret within his heart

For he had listened to the words of the wise

The heart, O wise one, is the prison of secrets

Once spoken, it cannot be chained back

He discreetly observed the actions of the man

And found flaws in the man's prudent judgment

Suddenly, he gazed at a servant

A fairy-faced one who smiled beneath his lips

Two people who share soul and mind

Speak volumes even while silent

If you dare to look at the sight

You won’t be satisfied, like one thirsty at the Tigris

The king's suspicion turned out to be true

He became enraged from the turmoil

Yet, with wisdom and complete judgment

He calmly said to him, 'O noble one'

I thought you were wise

And entrusted you with the kingdom's secrets

I assumed you were clever and intelligent

I didn’t know you were reckless and unworthy

Such a high rank is not your place

The fault is mine, not yours

For if I raise someone of poor essence

He will betray me in my sanctuary

The learned man raised his head

And spoke thus to the skilled king

Since my robe is free from guilt

I have no fear of the malice of the ill-willed

Never did such suspicion cross my mind

I do not know who spoke such words against me

The king said, 'What I have said to you

Your enemies have said to your face

Thus the old vizier told me

You, too, speak and act on what you know

Smiling, he placed his hand on his lips

For from him, nothing surprising comes to pass

The envious one who sees me in his place

What else could he speak but ill of me?

In that moment, I deemed him my foe

When the king placed him beneath my command

When the Sultan bestows virtue upon him

Don’t you see that the enemy lies in the fold?

Till Judgment Day, he’ll never take me as a friend

For he sees my glory as his disgrace

Now I’ll tell you a truthful story

If you lend your ear to me first

I don’t recall where I read in a book

That someone saw Iblis in a dream

Tall like a cypress, as beautiful as a fairy

From his face shone light like the sun

He approached and said, 'Is this really you?'

No angel could be so beautiful

You, whose face shines like the moon

Why are you known as ugly in the world?

Why did the painter in the king’s court

Make your image gloomy, ugly, and corrupt?

The ill-fated demon heard these words

And began to wail and cry out in sorrow

He said, 'O fortunate one, this isn’t my true form

But the pen lies in the hand of my foe

I too have a good name, yet

The ill-willed never speak well of me

The minister who tarnished my glory

Should be avoided by miles for his deceit

Yet I do not fear the king’s wrath

For I am brave in words and guiltless

If the judge becomes troubled by it

It’s because his scale’s weight is lacking

As long as my words come out true

Why should I fear those who find fault?

The king was astounded by his speech

And waved the baton of command

For the guilty, with deceit and eloquence

Cannot be absolved of the crime they committed

From your enemy, truly, I’ve not heard it said

Yet have I not seen it with my own eyes instead?

Among these courtiers in the royal hall

Your gaze finds no other but these above all

The eloquent man laughed and then he spoke

This is true; truth must not be cloaked

There’s wisdom here if you choose to hear

May wisdom flow and power appear

Don’t you see the poor without wealth or array

Gaze at the rich in envy all day?

My youthful strength has now flown away

In idle play, my life’s time did stray

From seeing their beauty, I find no respite

For they hold the treasure of grace and delight

Once, my face was as rosy as flowers in bloom

And my figure, like crystal, dispelled any gloom

Now, at my end, the shroud must be spun

My hair is cotton, and my body undone

My curls were once like the raven’s wing

And my robe was slender, perfectly fitting

Two rows of coins adorned my lips’ embrace

Like walls built of silver bricks, set in place

Now see me as I speak these words aloud

Each one fallen, like ancient towers bowed

Why shouldn’t I gaze in envy at their grace?

And recall the years I wasted, lost in pace

Those cherished days have slipped from me

And soon, this day too will cease to be

When the wise carved meaning into this stone

They said no truth higher than this is known

The king gazed upon the pillars of his reign

And said, no words or meaning can higher attain

One may look at beauty if they understand

That even beauty may forgiveness demand

Were it not for wisdom, I’d act in haste

And with my words, his wrath I’d taste

Quickly drawing the sword in reckless strife

Biting my hand in regret for such a life

Don’t heed the words of one with a hidden aim

For if you act on them, you’ll regret the same

To the virtuous, honor, prestige, and wealth accrue,

While the slanderer meets with deserved reproof too.

By the wisdom of his learned advisor’s plan,

His name spread with goodness throughout his land.

With justice and grace, he ruled for years on end,

Departing, but leaving a good name to transcend.

Such kings who nurture faith with devotion,

Through faith’s strength, they conquer fortune’s motion.

I see none like them in this present age,

If one exists, it is only Abu Bakr Sa’d, the sage.

O king, you are a heavenly tree, sublime,

Whose shade extends for a year’s journey in time.

From my fortunate fate, I dare to aspire,

That the phoenix’s wing shelters my desire.

Wisdom said fortune’s phoenix grants no grace,

If luck you seek, come to this shade’s embrace.

O God, You have cast Your merciful sight,

And spread this shade over creation’s plight.

I pray for this kingdom as a humble man,

O God, may this shade eternally span.

It is wise to bind before one makes the move,

For a severed head cannot reconcile or approve.

The Lord of command, wisdom, and splendor so great,

Will not be dismayed by the rabble’s debate.

A head full of pride, devoid of patience’s art,

Is unfit to wear the crown and play the king’s part.

I won’t say hold your ground in battle’s fray,

But when anger comes, let wisdom stay.

He who possesses wisdom shows restraint,

Not a mind that anger enslaves and taints.

When anger’s army attacks from its lair,

Justice, piety, and faith vanish into thin air.

Beneath the heavens, I’ve seen no fiend so dire,

That so many lands from its presence retire.