Fair Bagdād’s city prides itself to kiss his rod.
If unto him thou have recourse, a prince thou’lt be.
Why, then, to misery cleave, such as we hourly see?
Companionship with fortune’s minions brings good luck;
Where’s an elixir like their power, my dearest duck?445
Ahmed’s esteem raised Abū-Bekr such a height;
For once confirming Ahmed’s word, ‘Faithful’ he’s hight!”
The man demurred: “How can I gain access at court?
Without an introduction, how find sure passport?
Connection we must seek; or else invent excuse.