There was a prince in Ganja,

Who was unclean and far from virtue.

He entered the mosque, drunken and loud,

Wine in his head, with a goblet in hand.

In the sanctuary was a pious man,

With charming words and a pure heart.

A few gathered to hear his speech,

If you are not learned, at least be a good listener.

When that rebellious one embraced disgrace,

Those noble souls were deeply troubled.

If the king himself sets a bad example,

Who dares to speak of virtue and reform?

Command may scatter rose fragrance afar,

Yet the sound of the lute fades against the drum.

If you can forbid wrongdoing, do so,

But do not sit idle if you lack hands and feet.

And if you lack the power, at least speak,

That hearts may cleanse through your counsel.

When neither hands nor tongue can act,

Men of honor act with noble intent.

One approached a wise recluse,

Complaining and weeping with his head on the ground.

Saying, 'Pray for this impure and drunken rogue,

For we are powerless and speechless.'

A heartfelt, burning prayer,

Is mightier than seventy swords and axes.

The worldly-wise man raised his hands,

And said, 'O Lord of high and low!'

This boy's time with life is sweet,

O God, keep all his moments sweet forever.

Someone asked, 'O guide of righteousness,

Why did you wish good for this evil one?'

If you wish good for the treacherous,

Then what evil have you wished upon the city's people?

The keen-sighted replied,

Do not seek what you cannot understand.

I did not embellish the gathering with vain words,

But sought his repentance with sincere praise.

For whenever one returns from vile traits,

They attain eternal bliss in paradise.

This lasting joy is but five days long

Beyond it, lies the eternal joys among

A tale that a man of eloquence told

One carried it to the king, bold and bold

From ecstasy, tears gathered like clouds

And sorrow's flood rained on his face in shrouds

The flames of longing burned within his core

Shame lowered his gaze to the ground once more

To the righteous assembly, someone was sent

Seeking help for repentance with cries that vent

Please step forth, so I may bow my head

To lay ignorance and deceit to bed

Two ranks stood by the army’s gate in array

The eloquent entered the royal court that day

He saw sugar, jujube, candles, and wine

A land blessed with bounty, its people in decline

One lost in himself, another half-drunk

One reciting verses, with goblet sunk

From one side, the minstrel raised a cry

From the other, the cupbearer’s call to try

Companions, ruined by ruby-red wine

A harpist cradled their harp like a shrine

None among the courtiers held their heads high

Except the narcissus, no eye was nigh

The drum and harp harmonized in accord

From the depths, a mournful wail was poured

He ordered, and wisdom was shattered outright

The pure joy turned to anguish in the night

They broke the harp and snapped the lute’s string

The singer cast out his song and its ring

In the tavern, they struck the jars with stones

They placed gourds upright and severed their domes

Ruby wine spilled from an overturned flask

Flowing like blood from a bird slain in task

The cask carried nine months of aged wine

In the chaos, it poured its precious line

They split the skin bag down to its navel

The goblet gazed with bloodshot tears, unstable

He ordered the courtyard stones to be torn

Removed and replaced, the ground was reborn

The ruby-colored wine's stain so deep

Could not be washed from the marble to sweep

No wonder the drain became all undone,

For on that day, it drank much wine in the sun

Whoever grabbed the lute in their hand,

Was struck like a drum by the people's demand

And if a rogue carried the harp on their back,

Their ears were rubbed like a tambour with a smack

The youth, drunk on pride and arrogance so grand,

Sat in seclusion like the aged, at command

The father had warned him time and again,

Be fair in your path, speak pure words, refrain

Though he endured his father's wrath and chains,

No benefit came as much as wise refrains

Had soft words guided the path he tread,

And said, cast aside your youth and foolish head

His pride and dreams made him so defiant,

That he wouldn't let a beggar stay reliant

The roaring lion never throws its shield,

Nor does the leopard fear a sharpened field

With gentleness, an enemy can turn to a friend,

But harshness to a friend brings enmity in the end

Like an anvil, none can stay hard for long,

When struck by the hammer of correction strong

Speak not harshly to the ruler, my dear,

When you see them stern, approach soft and clear

Adapt to the morals of those you meet,

Whether they're humble or of lofty seat

The soft neck will rise by words sweetly said,

While harsh words bow even the loftiest head

With sweet words, one can win the contest's play,

While bitterness drives the quick-tempered away

From Sa'di, learn the art of sweet discourse,

Tell the sullen-faced to die of their remorse