Said Haroun, smiling, ‘Here is silver speech
That shall be sealed with silver; speak again,
And find my bounty boundless as the main
Which knows, so poets say, no further beach.’
Again the poet’s voice and lute allied,
‘Let not the day star nor the night star shine
Upon the hour that leaves a wish of thine,
Thy lightest wish, Haroun, ungratified.’
Still Haroun smiled, ‘This time thy words are gold,
And shall be guerdoned with a golden fee;