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Poem
February 28, 1866
Lamoille Newsdealer
Hyde Park, Lamoille County, Vermont
What is this article about?
Poem by William Cullen Bryant recounting Emir Hassan forgiving a slave who spills food on him, granting freedom and gold in accordance with the prophet's teachings on mercy and virtue.
Clipping
OCR Quality
98%
Excellent
Full Text
POETRY.
EMIR HASSAN.
BY WILLIAM CULLEN BRYANT.
Emir Hassan, of the prophet's race,
Asked with folded hands, th' Almighty's grace,
Then within the banquet hall he sat,
At his meat upon the embroidered mat.
There a slave before him placed the food.
Spilling from the charger, as he stood.
Awkwardly upon the Emir's breast
Drops that foully stained the silken vest.
To the floor, in great remorse and dread,
Fell the slave, and thus, beseeching said :
"Master, they who hasten to restrain
Rising wrath, in paradise shall reign."
Gently was the answer Hassan gave :
"I'm not angry."
"Yet," pursued the slave,
"Yet doth higher recompense belong
To the injured who forgives a wrong."
"I forgive," said Hassan.
"Yet we read,"
So the prostrate slave went on to plead,
"That a higher seat in glory still
Waits the man who renders good for ill."
"Slave, receive thy freedom, and behold
In thy hand I lay a purse of gold.
Let me never fail to heed, in aught,
What the prophet of our God hath taught."
EMIR HASSAN.
BY WILLIAM CULLEN BRYANT.
Emir Hassan, of the prophet's race,
Asked with folded hands, th' Almighty's grace,
Then within the banquet hall he sat,
At his meat upon the embroidered mat.
There a slave before him placed the food.
Spilling from the charger, as he stood.
Awkwardly upon the Emir's breast
Drops that foully stained the silken vest.
To the floor, in great remorse and dread,
Fell the slave, and thus, beseeching said :
"Master, they who hasten to restrain
Rising wrath, in paradise shall reign."
Gently was the answer Hassan gave :
"I'm not angry."
"Yet," pursued the slave,
"Yet doth higher recompense belong
To the injured who forgives a wrong."
"I forgive," said Hassan.
"Yet we read,"
So the prostrate slave went on to plead,
"That a higher seat in glory still
Waits the man who renders good for ill."
"Slave, receive thy freedom, and behold
In thy hand I lay a purse of gold.
Let me never fail to heed, in aught,
What the prophet of our God hath taught."
What sub-type of article is it?
Ballad
What themes does it cover?
Moral Virtue
Religious Faith
What keywords are associated?
Emir Hassan
William Cullen Bryant
Forgiveness
Slave Freedom
Prophet Teachings
Mercy
Islamic Virtue
What entities or persons were involved?
By William Cullen Bryant
Poem Details
Title
Emir Hassan
Author
By William Cullen Bryant
Form / Style
Rhymed Couplets
Key Lines
"Master, They Who Hasten To Restrain
Rising Wrath, In Paradise Shall Reign."
"Slave, Receive Thy Freedom, And Behold
In Thy Hand I Lay A Purse Of Gold.
Let Me Never Fail To Heed, In Aught,
What The Prophet Of Our God Hath Taught."