Know Thou Well This World Its Stateby Khushal Khan Khattak (1613-1689)
Know thou well this world its state, what is, is; what is not, is not:Whether Rake or Devotee, what is, is; what is not, is not.Whether much or little thine, count it all as passed away;Be thou of the Prophet’s nature, for what is, is; what is not, is not.If for life thou grievest, what cause if thyself thou knowest;Alive to thy grave thou goest, what is, is; what is not, is not.Of sea and land the Monarch thou, if wet and dry alike thou countest;Be thou then the Monarch of the age, for what is, is; what is not, is not.Whether pearls or jewels, whether flowers or trees,Take no account of all, for what is, is; what is not, is not.Ill thy wishes, bad thy actions, causeless grief and envy thine;In patience be thou wealthy, for what is, is; what is not, is not.Weep thou not, nor yet rejoice; leave alike both grief and joy;Be acquainted with this secret, what is, is; what is not, is not.Alas! what though it collects, with no one does it here remain:Of gold and silver be thou free, for what is, is; what is not, is not.Of thy loved one seek for kindness, and thou find it not, then weep:Do thou as thy loved one wills thee, for what is, is; what is not, is not.Whether Union or Separation, to me they both are all alike:Be thou at ease as thou art, for what is, is; what is not, is not.Why dost thou strive and struggle, and day and night art full of concern?Be thou the same whatever betide, for what is, is; what is not, is not.Short is life, and many its troubles; why so anxious in your heart?Be thou satisfied with wet or dry, for what is, is; what is not, is not.Consider thou thy special talent, while alive make good use of it,O Khush-hal! a Lion be thou, for what is, is; what is not, is not.
