Even This Shall Pass Away
Once in Persia reigned a king
Who upon his signet ring
Graved a maxim true and wise
Which if held before his eyes
Gave him counsel at a glance
Fit for every change and chance
Solemn words, and these are they
"Even this shall pass away"
Trains of camels through the sand
Brought him gems from Samarcand
Fleets of galleys through the seas
Brought him pearls to match with these
But he counted not his gain
Treasures of the mine or main
"What is wealth?" The king would say
"Even this shall pass away"
'Mid the revels of his court
At the zenith of his sport
When the palms of all his guests
Burned with clapping at his jests
He, amid his figs and wine
Cried, "Oh, loving friends of mine
Pleasures come but not to stay
Even this shall pass away"
Lady, fairest ever seen
Was the bride he crowned his queen
Pillowed on his marriage bed
Softly to his soul he said
"Though no bridegroom ever pressed
Fairer bosom to his breast
Mortal flesh must come to clay
Even this shall pass away"
Fighting on a furious field
Once a javelin pierced his shield
Soldiers, with a loud lament
Bore him bleeding to his tent
Groaning from his tortured side
"Pain is hard to bear," he cried
"But with patience, day by day
Even this shall pass away"
Towering in the public square
Twenty cubits in the air
Rose his statue, carved in stone
Then the king, disguised, unknown
Stood before his sculptured name
Musing meekly, "What is fame?
Fame is but a slow decay
Even this shall pass away"
Struck with palsy, sore and old
Waiting at the Gates of Gold
Said he with his dying breath
"Life is done, but what is death?"
Then, in answer to the king
Fell a sunbeam on his ring
Showing by a heavenly ray
Even this shall pass away