(With Apologies to Rudyard Kipling)
All the world knew Sultan Hafiz as the wisest of the wise,
Each word he wrote was shining to philosophic eyes.
For years fourscore and seven he wrought with gilded pen
To inscribe his worldly knowledge for enlightenment of men.
In five great leather books the Sultan's teachings were preserved,
Yet to his many proverbs one addition is deserved.
Each day he sat in judgment hall from dawn to dusk, 'tis said,
Then in his private chamber he sought out his silken bed.
So wise a sage with beard of white had earned true well his rest,
But yet behold, have we forgot what pleases men the best?
Five stories down from where he lay the Sultan's harem stood,
And for man's needs three wives and twenty concubines made good.
Beside his bed in easy reach a brazen gong there swung.
He tapped it once and soon appeared a beardless eunuch young.
Unto the eunuch lad he said, "Fetch me a beauty now
And I shall take the pleasure that the Quran doth allow."
So swiftly down five flights of stairs the faithful servant ran
To reach the hidden harem where there never came a man.
On fine embroidered pillows the concubines reclined.
From out their midst, one plump and fair the eunuch lad did find.
A Nubian dark as night was she, with breasts so full and soft.
Fast up the stairs to Sultan's bed the lad led her aloft,
And Hafiz greeted her with joy and soon took off her gown
And on the bed in front of him the naked girl knelt down.
Her two dark moons thus beckoned him, and 'tween them grew her flower
And it its depth his hardened rod did spend a pleasant hour.
As he thrust deep she rocked her hips, her breasts were in his grasp,
