THE SULTAN'S RING.

Te Aroha News, Volume VII, Issue 376, 12 June 1889, Page 4

THE SULTAN'S RING.

A neck-exalting lord, a Median king, Heard one in rags, sore-troubled, say this thing Under the palace arch, haggard and faint. Rocking upon the carpet of complaint : " O Sultan ! at the door of God liest thou. As I at thine ! therefore accomplish now Mercy toward me, as thou for mercy prayest • 'Make glad my heart!' To Allah so thbu sayest— Therefore from sorrow's fetters bring forth mine !" Now on that Sultan's thumb a stone did shine Pigeon-blood ruby, such a gem. the Shroff ' Stammered in telling what would weigh enough Of gold tomauns to prize it in the night It glowed as if the sun had left roselight Of afternoon, and in the day it seemed As though a red, belated star still gleamed. The Sultan dr«w this wonder from his thumb, While at his stirrup-irons, grim and dumb His aphas watched, stroking black beards— he drew The ruby off, and, quotha, " That was new Upon our lips— the prayer ! God may delay To hear us if we turn our hearts away When others cry ! Go sell my ring, and buy Oil of contont for sore of misery !" Better a king's hand lacking royal seal Than a king's ear guilty of unheard appeal ! Sir Edwin Arnold.