12. Even This Shall Pass Away

Once in Persia reigned a king

Who upon his regal ring

Etched a caption true and wise

Which he held before his eyes

Gave him counsel at a glance

Fit for every change and change

Solemn words and these are they:

"Even this shall pass away"

Train of camels through the sand

Brought him gems from Samarkand

Fleets of galleys throught the sea

Brought him pearls to rival these

But he counted little gain

Treasures of the mine or main

"What is wealth?" the King would say,

"Even this shall pass away"

In the revel of his court,

At the zenith of his sport

When the palms of all his guests

Burned with clapping at his jest

Amid his figs and wine he'd cry

"Oh, good loving friends of mine,

Pleasure come but not to stay,

Even they shall pass away"

Towering up above the square,

Way up high into the air 

Rose his statue, carved in stone, disguised unknown

Gazing at his sculptured name

Asked to himself, "So what is fame?

Fame, is but a slow decay,

Even this shall pass away"

Sick and tired and fading,

Finished, beat and old,

Stood in line outside the gates of gold

Spake he with his dying breath

"life is done so what is death?"

Then in answer to the king

Fell a sunbeam on his ring

Blinding light through fading grey:

"Even this shall pass away"