My darling, I have much to say
Where o precious one shall I begin ?
All that is in you is princely
O you who makes of my words through their meaning
Cocoons of silk
These are my songs and this is me
This short book contains us
Tomorrow when I return its pages
A lamp will lament
A bed will sing
Its letters from longing will turn green
Its commas be on the verge of flight
Do not say: why did this youth
Speak of me to the winding road and the stream
The almond tree and the tulip
So that the world escorts me wherever I go ?
Why did he sing these songs ?
Now there is no star
That is not perfumed with my fragrance
Tomorrow people will see me in his verse
A mouth the taste of wine, close-cropped hair
Ignore what people say
You will be great only through my great love
What would the world have been if we had not been
If your eyes had not been, what would the world have been?
Nizar Qabbani, A Brief Love Letter
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"Ibrahim, what do the merchants think of our decisions?" Suleiman asked his old friend during the meeting with the Grand Vizier. They were in the Sultan's divan discussing various matters of the state. "What do they expect from me?"
With a bow, the concierge said, "Your Majesty, there is great faith on the street. They expect new campaigns. The bazaar is active, the merchants are happy. Only, we cannot compete with the prices of the Venetian goods. We sell one and earn five while they earn twenty. They say it will be fair if the taxes are lowered for subjects and raised for foreigners."
The Sultan nodded his head, "That will be done soon. Piri Pasha?"
The older male answered, "Your Majesty, I personally conveyed your command to the Venetian ambassador. I'm sure we will hear him whining soon."
The doors to the room open to admit Ahmet Pasha inside holding a scroll in his hands. Walking until he was across the Sultan, he bowed and spoke, "Your Majesty. Good news has arrived." He held out the scroll in his hands, "Ferhat Pasha has taken the traitor Canberdi Gazali's head in Damascus." A smile crossed the Sultan's face as he stood up from the throne. "The rebellion has been crushed. Victory is ours. Peace and order have been established. Our glorious army awaits your command to return."
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FanfictionHaseki Zeynep Sultan Born an English Princess, the formerly named Jane Tudor was abducted by Crimean Tatars while traveling through Italy on her way home from fostering in Rome at the young age of fourteen. The young princess was sold to the Topkapi...
