Arabian Poetry: Shorter Pieces of Arabian Poetry: To Adversity, by Abu Menbaa Carawash, Sultan of Mousel
HAIL, chastening friend, Adversity! ’tis thine The mental ore to temper and refine; To cast in Virtue's mould the yielding heart, And Honour's polish to the mind impart.
Without thy wakening touch, thy plastic aid, I'd lain the shapeless mass that Nature made; But formed, great artist, by thy magic hand, I gleam a sword, to conquer and command.