The Luzumiyat of Abu’l-Ala, CXVII

translated from the Arabic by Ameen Rihani

Turned to a cup, who once the sword of state
Held o’er the head of slave and potentate,
       Is now held in the tippler’s trembling hand,
Or smashed upon the tavern-floor of Fate.

Credit

The Luzumiyat of Abu’l-Ala (James T. White & Co., 1920) by Abū al-‘Alā’ al-Ma‘arrī. Translated from the Arabic by Ameen Rihani. Copyright © 1920 by Ameen Rihani. This poem is in the public domain.