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The
Sultan Poets
The Royal Poets of Turkey
Translations by Mevlut Ceylan
FOREWORD
They came tunneling through the Iron Mountain;
they came mounted on their steeds, riding with the speed of wind
across the steppes of central Asia towards Mesopotamia and Asia
minor, later into the heart of Europe. North Africa too had her
share of Ottoman rule.
When
they converted to Islam in the eighth century, the wild men of the
steppes became tamed, cultured, and refined. In a very short span
of time, they became a force to be reckoned with and
a super power of the Middle Ages, until the Ottomans'
demise at the end of the nineteenth century. Thus, the Ottoman
Sultans eventually became the protectors of the Islamic faith and
leaders of the global Muslim community, loved and respected by
their Muslim subjects as well as by non-Muslims.
When Ezra Pound wrote in his letter to A.R.
Orage in April 1919, "My job was to bring a dead man to life,
to present a living figure", I think he was referring to the
dilemma of rendering a text from one language into another; in
particular if the text is poetry. Voices of concern and doubt have
been raised, suggesting that it was harder than cutting the
Gordian knot.
Translation
may be regarded as cultural pollination and without translation
cultural crossings of national borders are impossible. So,
translation forms an essential part of our relationship. One could
claim that because of the loss of nuances in the process of
translation we live in an almost unbearable world.
Translating the Ottoman Sultan Poets has been a
challenging venture. Their offspring can hardly comprehend the
language and implications that existed less than a century ago.
Therefore the translator has to build a bridge between past and
present, and in doing so he has to bear in mind that successful
translation can be achieved by "creative transposition".
There is no perfect translation and translators
are the forgotten saints of the cultural wilderness. Every society
is indebted to translators who overtly or covertly have influenced
the development of cultural and technical achievements. Though
this may be true, the authenticity of translating has always been
open to question. Is it possible to transmute even the minute
details of one language to another? The response to this weighty
question has been neither "Yes" nor "No". How
can it be formulated even within one language? A written text,
regardless of its form, simply cannot be viewed as a wholly
self-explanatory act; perception of a text requires the aid of
other elements, such as visual equipment and body language.
These poems rhymed in the original; however, I
have opted for translating them freely. I agree with T.S. Eliot
who once said "No verse is libre for the man who wants to do
a good job". After all, the set metrical formats of these
poems do not work for the ears of modern Man. They sound dry and
dull.
I hope that readers will find these poems as
interesting as the lives of the Sultans, who in time became
legendary heroes.
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GHAZI
OSMAN BEY
(1258-1326)
Founder
of the Ottoman Empire. He spent his life building the Ottoman
State. Scholars regularly attended his court. Before he captured
the Christian lords, he captured their hearts. He is also known as
Fakhruddin.
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Osman, son of Ertughrul
One
of the Gagauz Turks
A
humble slave of the Lord
Conquer
Constantinople, and make it
A rose-garden. |
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SULTAN
MURAD THE FIRST
(1328-1389)
The third Ottoman
Sultan, son of Orkhan Ghazi and grandson of Osman Bey who founded
the Ottoman Empire. Sultan Murad protected scholars and poets.
During his reign the Ottomans expanded their territories. He
defeated European forces at Kosovo where the legacy of the battle
of Kosovo (1389) still actively dominates the lives of people
particularly in the Balkans. Sultan Murad is the first and only
Ottoman Sultan who was martyred on the battlefield.
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O
cupbearer drinking friend of last night
Let
me live life to the full
O
cupbearer bring me my harp and Rebek
Talk
to me, talk to my heart
And
the day will come; I’ll take my place in the burial
ground
And
no friend will visit my unmarked grave. |
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MURADİ
MURAD THE SECOND
(1404-1451)
Son
of Chelebi Sultan Mehmed and grandson of Bayazıd the
Thunderbolt. At the age of eighteen he ascended the throne. He was
the sixth Sultan. He spent his reign warring with Crusaders and
rebels. When he restored peace in the land, he gave up his throne
to his son Prince Mehmed the Second . He retired to Manisa, but
his retirement was short lived because of the Crusaders' attacks
and he was called back to the throne by the viziers.
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After the war
he wanted to return to Manisa but he was asked to stay on. He died
a couple of months later. He wrote fine poems, it has been said
that even when he talked his words rhymed.
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Saqi,
bring me the wine left over from yesterday.
Come,
let my lyre speak.
I
need this joy and happiness while I am alive
A day will come
when no one shall see my dust. |
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Firstly,
it's the tradition of lovers to sacrifice themselves.
This
is the right thing to do.
But
he who doesn't give his life at the beloved’s threshold
Cannot
be a lover.
Beware
of him
Who
has not fallen in love.
He's
worse than four-legged animals.
He
who is in love gives his life willingly.
This
act has no significance for him.
Listen well to Murad's words,
His
words are a very important and valuable book. |
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AVNI
FATİH SULTAN MEHMED KHAN
(1432-1481)
He
was the seventh Ottoman Sultan, son of Sultan Murad the Second. He
conquered Istanbul. He was not only a man of war but also a man of
knowledge. He founded many universities and mosques. He was a
patron of art, music, and letters. As a poet he influenced the
poets who came after him.
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Oh
beauty, you're my Shah.
All
I want is to be your slave.
I'd sooner be your slave
Than
become Padishah of the World. |
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You're
penniless, you're a pauper.
Give
me one good reason
Why
Avni should love
you?
My
beloved tied me with her locks of hair
O
dear God, have mercy on your abject slave. |
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Pity,
O heart, you did not listen and loved such beauty!
O heart, you’ve become a
laughing-stock.
O
heart, she enjoys tormenting
you!
What
can I say, you cannot endure pain, O heart!
My
dear heart, O heart, O heart! |
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ADLİ
BAYAZIT THE SECOND
(1447-1512)
Eldest
son of Sultan Mehmed the Conqueror. When he was governor in Amasya,
the Janisarries asked him to be Sultan. But his brother Jem Sultan
opposed his appointment. He built many universities mosques, and
public kitchens. He was a patron of art. He was also a master
calligrapher. In his poems he used the pen name Adli.
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Since
this fortune fell upon us
Why
aren’t you content with your destiny: what's wrong?
You
claim to be a pilgrim of two sanctuaries.
If
that's so, why worldly greed and desires? |
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PRINCE JEM
(1454-1495)
Younger
son of Sultan Mehmed the Conqueror. He was well educated. He
revolted against his brother Bayazid the Second. He received the
help of pashas and the people of some cities. Bayazid's army
defeated Jem. He took refuge with the Egyptian Mamluks, even the
Knights of St. John at Rhodes, when he went to Rhodes he was
received with full honours by the Grand Master and his Knights.
Later they sent him off to France. He was poisoned by order of the
Pope Alexander VI. He was a distinguished poet; he wrote poems in
Persian and Turkish.
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Ey
Jem follow Khayyam's footsteps.
Religious
devotion and piety do not suit you.
What
will happen if Jem spends his life on your path
as a repayment?
You're
his capital, he has nothing in this world but you. |
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The
fire of love inflames the heart,
The
eyes shed tears,
My
tears wash the land of the heart.
A
building cannot stand against floods.
My
stupid antagonist donkey may wear silk dresses
But
that won't change her nature.
My eyes don't cry when they see
you
Because
the sun dries
the place she looks at. |
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This exile wore me out,
Left
me in pain.
This
is the judgement of the wretched world
That
left Jem paralysed in a foreign land. |
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SELIM
THE GRIM
YAVUZ SULTAN SELIM (1466-1520)
Son
of Sultan Bayazıd
the Second, he was a warrior Sultan and a poet of distinction. He
wrote poems in Turkish and Persian. He was a patron of the arts,
he protected scholars, and judges as well as poets.
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The moon is beautiful I said to myself
And
I salute such beauty
Suddenly I wanted to look at her
The
sun rose and shone upon my thoughts |
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Everyone knows that you're the master at hunting
hearts
Ey!
Don't let your cruelty spread all over the world.
Why
you behave like a stranger I don't know.
What
is this? A new affectation, torment, or flirting ? |
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O
dear Lord, you're the Padishah,
You're
worthy of it!
Every
padishah takes refuge in you.
You
humiliate the one you don't like
and
exalt the one you love.
Shahdom suits you.
You
know each of your slave's secrets.
If
I'm a rebel, please don't withhold your mercy, give us
plenty.
No
one can claim their innocence.
You're
the just and I live in your just land.
I'm
the only passenger on a sorrowful road that leads to you.
Sometimes
tears turn my face red
Because
of the shame of my sins.
I'm
like dawn full of stars,
The
smoke of my burning heart veils my eyes.
This
black face of mine is like the black ink of my letters.
My
hope lies with no one but you
Forgive
me, forgive your Selim! |
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HARIMI
PRINCE KORKUT
(1470-1513)
Son
of Sultan Bayazıd the
Second, he was Sultan for only seventeen days. He fought against
his father for a long time. He was strangled. He was a scholar and
a patron of art. He was also a calligrapher. He did research in
Arabic and wrote books in Arabic and Turkish.
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Fresh
wounds on my breast...
As
if I'm ruined, crows have landed on me.
While
you're a youthful beauty
Have
mercy on one who gave his heart to you!
Otherwise
my tears murmur like water.
Whenever
I remember your black hair and fall into despair
O
my beauty, clouds weep for me.
When
the bird of the
heart wishes to fly from
your rose garden
The
sweet smell of your hair ties its claw.
O
Harimi! they plot to kill me,
So
be it! All these fresh wounds are my longing for the
beloved. |
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MUHIBBI
SÜLEYMAN THE MAGNIFICIENT
(1494-1566)
Reigned
1520-1566. He was known as the Magnificent and also the Lawgiver.
He was a patron of the arts, beside being an established poet. He
was the tenth Ottoman Sultan. During his reign the Empire reached
its zenith. He was a goldsmith, and wrote poems under the
pseudonym Muhibbi.
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Muhibbi, do not say ‘No’
even
if you were tortured and killed by the beloved.
Is
it fair if a destitute starts conversing with the Sultan?
Though sugar is known as sweet in
the World
But O my darling, your lips are
sweeter. |
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Dear Lord! Shower me with your grace
Whether
there is any remedy other than You I do not know.
Help
me, forgive my sins,
Please,
help me, forgive my sins. |
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Ill-heart,
since it’s gone mad with your love,
Met
with a thousand disputes.
Today
I, the Majnun
Wherever
I look Leila is there.
If
I die in the way of love,
Nymphs
shall rub their eyes. with my dust.
My
lungs’ blood will flow non-stop
Since
the beloved with arched-eyebrows
Hit
me with her arrow eyelashes.
I
drank the wine of love at the day of predestination
That’s
why Muhibbi became a laughing-stock |
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I begin in the name of Allah, the Beneficent, and
the Merciful
Secret
or open, nothing hidden from You
Dear
Lord! Heal my anguish-stricken heart
You’re
the Wise One who knows a cure for all patience
Merciful
Lord! Thanks to you
You
made this slave of yours Moslem
Keep
my faith till the last breath
Do
not let damned Satan come near me
Dear
Lord! For the sake of Mustafa, your Messenger
Grant
us your bountiful paradise
Dear
Lord! At the day of Judgement
Keep
Muhibbi, the slave on your side. |
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O
Suleiman; here’s your crown:
To
be generous and kind hearted
Is
the pageantry of the throne
If
you want to see your subjects happy
Do
not be arrogant, think that they may be
better
than yourself.
We are all brothers; we must love
each other
O
Suleiman a true Moslem regards this solemn behest.
Act wisely, but do not remain unknown,
Shelter
the good, and be severe to wrongdoers.
To
be a tyrant like a Tartar Khan
Doesn’t
befit a Sultan.
Staying
silent against aggression
Is
as good as taking part.
Do
not hibernate; be awake on your throne
Our
strong hands hold the fate of the World.
We
have to fight to earn
The
regard and affection of men. |
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SHAHİ
PRINCE BAYAZID (1527-1562)
Second
son of Süleyman the Magnificent. He rebelled against his father
to become Sultan. He was exiled to Iran, but Tahmaseb the Iranian
Shah murdered his men and handed over Prince Bayazid to Selim's
men. He was killed with his four sons and buried in Sivas. He was
a scholar and a good poet.
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I'm
before your High Presence,
Forgiveness
and mercy from you, repentance from me.
Dear
God, I couldn't keep my promises.
I
don't have the strength to make myself straight.
At
the hand of my worldly desires
I
found no rest in that house of grief |
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My
Queen sends her greetings to her slave.
Dear
Majesty, give long life.
Her
prayer and salaams were the good news
I
gave my life for.
A
remedy has reached my
sick soul.
Because
of parting
I'm burned down like a candle.
Burning
all the time is the lover's job.
I
cry like a nightingale at nights
O
my rose, in your beauty's garden.
It's
you, O my darling who keep my heart at ease.
A
happy life is prohibited for Shahi in this world. |
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O beloved, with your partings of yearning
I
sigh, I sigh, I sigh without you.
With
your hair to see the daylight
I'm
hesitant, I'm hesitant, I'm hesitant
To
kiss your lips
I'm
waiting, I'm waiting, I'm waiting.
Longing
for you for years,
I
shed tears, I shed tears, I shed tears.
Because
of the sun from your face
I'm
bright, I'm bright, I'm bright.
With
the last glass
I'm
drunk, I'm drunk, I'm drunk.
Ey
Shahi if I die from love of the beloved
I'm
happy, I'm happy, I'm happy.
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Beloved, to the lover who loves you from his heart
Be
loyal to him, be loyal, be loyal.
Do
not torment, be kind, my darling.
Do
not hurt too much, not too much, but a little.
Be
kind, O Beloved.
Be
aware, be aware, be aware.
Let
me see you too fall in love as Shahi did,
You
fell in love, you fell in love, you fell in love! |
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BAHTİ
AHMET THE FIRST
(1590-1617)
Son
of Sultan Mehmed the Third, he was fourteen when he became Sultan.
He reigned for fourteen years. He was also the fourteenth Sultan.
He restored law and order in the country. He won all the wars he
fought. He built the famous Blue Mosque. He started writing poetry
at the age of eight. He used as pen name Bahti, and sometimes used
his real name in his poems.
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Thank
God, good news here,
My
heart was filled with joy.
The
infidels retreated from two fortresses
leaving
all their belongings.
The
messenger brought news
in the morning.
I
hope very soon the infidels will be destroyed.
I
hope the news will reach
the Shah of the Kisilbash
And
also, Inshaallah, Shias
will feel great pain.
With
the grace of God, the news came of the calamities.
Bahti
is praying for the Army of Islam.
O
winds! Hurry, take the news to them. |
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FARİSİ
OSMAN THE SECOND (1603-1622)
Son
of Sultan Ahmed the first. He was aged fourteen when he was
crowned. He was busy fighting wars and trying to reform the armed
forces in particular the Janissaries. However, the Janissaries
rebelled and strangled him in the infamous Yedikule Prison.
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My
intention was to serve my people and my state.
My
foes cannot bear me, they try to disgrace and dethrone me.
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If you become the Shah
Do
you think you're not close to the earth?
If you're a rich Bey,
It's
nice to have a good time in this world’s house.
Farisi, are you not to be judged
for
your deeds on the Day. |
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VEFAİ
MEHMED THE
FOURTH (1642-1693)
Son
of Sultan Ibrahim. When his father was removed from the throne, he
was crowned as Sultan at a young age. An inexperienced sultan, he
failed to introduce any remedy for corruption which was a social
menace. He loved hunting.
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Your
rose-like face, tulip-like cheeks- what a beauty!
When
your lovers are on the dusty road where you passed
You
pretend not to see us and humiliate us,- what a beauty!
You
cheat your lovers who are at your door saying their
prayers-
What
a beauty!
And
you promise for tomorrow- What a beauty!
Ey
Vefai, when you see your beloved happy
Your
sighs are so beautiful! |
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AHMED
AHMED THE SECOND (1643-1695)
Son
of Sultan Ibrahim. He spent his youth under "Palace
arrest", and was crowned in 1691. He loved hunting and music;
he also composed songs.
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If I thank Allah all the time, what'll happen?
When
I was lying down on the bed of grief
And
sighing from time to time,
Suddenly
my body became healthy,
Muslims'
prayers are welcome
Thanks
to Allah, good health has arrived.
I
trust in Allah
He
is the only One, the downtrodden and kings take refuge
with Him
Ahmed,
trust him all the time.
He
will help you at all times everywhere. |
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O,
you who put the infidels
to the sword in such splendour,
I've
entrusted you to Allah, Who remits
sins,
I've
sent you my salaams and prayers
That
you be safe and sound, let your enemy be helpless.
Don't
forget the name of Allah on the day of war.
Ask
help of the Beneficent,
High
and Mighty One, I hope the wicked king
Will
surrender all his forts willingly.
Bless Ahmed and his veterans
If
you want, Allah shall succour them. |
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NEJIB
AHMED THE THIRD
(1673-1736)
Son
of Sultan Mehmed the fourth, he became Sultan after his brother
Sultan Mustafa the Second.
He
wanted to introduce western style reforms into the country. During
his reign many rebellions took place against the Palace authority.
He was removed from the throne by the Patrona Khalil rebellion.
He
indulged in entertainment, and nightlife. On the one hand he was
attempting to restore law and order in the country, on the other,
he was a regular face in "low life" circles. Died at the
age of 63.
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O
Messenger of God, your cheeks reflect His Light.
O
messenger of God, your face gives pleasure.
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