Even This Will Pass Away!

Once in Persia reigned a king
Who upon a signet ring
Carved a maximum strange and wise
When held before his eyes
Gave him counsel at a glance
Fit for every change and chance
Solemn words and these were they
“EVEN THIS WILL PASS AWAY!”

Trains of camel through the sand
Brought him gems from samercand.
Flees of galleys over the seas
Brought him pearls to rival these
But he counted little gain
Treasures of mine or main
What is wealth? The kind would say
“EVEN THIS WILL PASS AWAY!”

Mid the pleasure of his court,
At the zenith of theor sport
When the palms of all his guests
Burned with clapping at his jests
Seated midst the figs and wines
Said the kings “Ah friends of mine.”
Pleasure comes but not to stay,
“EVEN THIS WILL PASS AWAY!”

Women fairest ever seen
Was the bride he crowned as queen.
Pillowed on the marriage bed
Whispering to his soul he said
Though no monarch ever pressed
Fairer bosom to his breast
Moral flesh is only clay.
“EVEN THIS WILL PASS AWAY!”

Fighting on the furious field,
Once a javelin pierced his shield
Soldiers with a loud lament
Bore him bleeding to his tortured side
Pain is hard to bear he cried
But with patience day by day
“EVEN THIS WILL PASS AWAY!”

Towering in a public square
Forty cubits in the air
And the king disguised unknown
Gazed upon his sculptured named
And he pondered “What is fame?”
Fame is but a slow decay!
“EVEN THIS WILL PASS AWAY!”

Struck with palsy, sore and old
Waiting at the gates of gold
Said he with dying breath
Life is done, but what is DEATH?
Then an answer to the king
Fell a sun beam on his ring
Showing by a heavenly ray
“EVEN THIS WILL PASS AWAY!”

Author – Unknown