C.D. Warner, et al., comp.
The Library of the World’s Best Literature. An Anthology in Thirty Volumes. 1917.

Durweesh Fakrideed of Klish

(Turkish—Fifteenth Century)

Translation in Dublin University Magazine

I GIVE God thanks for this, that I

Am no low slipper-licker’s debtor:

If Heaven itself were not so high,

I scarce could bear to rest its debtor.

A Durweesh am I—naught beside:

I might be worse, and may be better;

But one thought swells my heart with pride,—

I am no man’s tool and no man’s debtor.

I am sleek and stout; my face is bright;

No cares corrode, no vices fetter

My cushioned soul;—I snore at night,

But never yet was opium’s debtor.

I love the stars, the sun, the moon;

When Summer goes I much regret her:

But who holds Kaf or robs Karoon

I don’t much care,—I’m not their debtor.

So writeth Mahmoud Fakrideed

In this his lay, or lilt, or letter;

Which he or she that runs may read,

And be therefor perchance his debtor.