Once upon a time there lived this Jewish king named Solomon (Suleiman). In a grumpy mood, he thought of teaching Benemiah Ben Yehoyada, his minister, a lesson. So he assigned to him a seemingly impossible task. He ordered Benemiah to find him a magic ring with extraordinary features. And that was - if you were happy and wore the ring, you would feel unhappy. And vice-versa. If you were joyous and wore it, you would feel absolutely sad.
Solomon gave him a six-month timeline for the search. Deep down in their hearts, both Solomon and Benemiah knew that such a ring did not exist in this universe. Benemiah prayed hard for a miracle. A little before the deadline was over, and having walked all over for such a ring, he decided to go to one of the poorest places in Jerhusalem.
There he saw an old merchant who was spreading out his goods on a carpet. Benemiah was quite intrigued. He thought, “Let me take a chance with him.” Therefore, he asked the merchant whether he had a magic ring that could make a happy person forget his happiness and a sad person forget his sorrow. The merchant smiled. He took a gold ring from his wares and etched four words on it. Benemiah took the gold ring. When he read the inscription, he was extremely happy. He felt that his mission was accomplished. He went back to Solomon.
Solomon and all his ministers began making a mockery of Benemiah, teasing him as he would have returned empty-handed. Benemiah smiled and offered the gold ring to His Majesty. As soon as Solomon read what was written, he stopped teasing. The words were “this too shall pass”. Suddenly, Solomon felt that everything in life was ephemeral, and nothing lasts forever.
Even This Will Pass Away
Once in Persia reigned a king,
Who upon a signet ring
Carved a maxim strange and wise,
When held before his eyes,
Gave him counsel at a glance,
Fit for every change and chance
Solemn words .... “Even this will pass away”.
Trains of camel through the sand
Brought him gems from Samarcand
Fleets of galleys over the seas
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 will pass away"...
Fighting on the furious field,
Once a javelin pierced his shield,...
"Pain is hard to bear", he cried,
"But with patience, day by day,
Even this will pass away".
Towering in a public square
Forty cubits in the air,
And the king disguised, unknown,
Gazed upon his sculptured name,
And he pondered, "What is fame?"
Fame is but a slow decay!
"Even-this will pass away".
Struck with palsy, sore and old,
Waiting at the gates of gold,
Said he with his dying breath
"Life is done, but what is Death?"
Then an answer to the king
Fell a sun-beam on his ring
Showing by a heavenly ray,
"Even this will pass away".
- Theodore Tilten
Solomon gave him a six-month timeline for the search. Deep down in their hearts, both Solomon and Benemiah knew that such a ring did not exist in this universe. Benemiah prayed hard for a miracle. A little before the deadline was over, and having walked all over for such a ring, he decided to go to one of the poorest places in Jerhusalem.
There he saw an old merchant who was spreading out his goods on a carpet. Benemiah was quite intrigued. He thought, “Let me take a chance with him.” Therefore, he asked the merchant whether he had a magic ring that could make a happy person forget his happiness and a sad person forget his sorrow. The merchant smiled. He took a gold ring from his wares and etched four words on it. Benemiah took the gold ring. When he read the inscription, he was extremely happy. He felt that his mission was accomplished. He went back to Solomon.
Solomon and all his ministers began making a mockery of Benemiah, teasing him as he would have returned empty-handed. Benemiah smiled and offered the gold ring to His Majesty. As soon as Solomon read what was written, he stopped teasing. The words were “this too shall pass”. Suddenly, Solomon felt that everything in life was ephemeral, and nothing lasts forever.
Even This Will Pass Away
Once in Persia reigned a king,
Who upon a signet ring
Carved a maxim strange and wise,
When held before his eyes,
Gave him counsel at a glance,
Fit for every change and chance
Solemn words .... “Even this will pass away”.
Trains of camel through the sand
Brought him gems from Samarcand
Fleets of galleys over the seas
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 will pass away"...
Fighting on the furious field,
Once a javelin pierced his shield,...
"Pain is hard to bear", he cried,
"But with patience, day by day,
Even this will pass away".
Towering in a public square
Forty cubits in the air,
And the king disguised, unknown,
Gazed upon his sculptured name,
And he pondered, "What is fame?"
Fame is but a slow decay!
"Even-this will pass away".
Struck with palsy, sore and old,
Waiting at the gates of gold,
Said he with his dying breath
"Life is done, but what is Death?"
Then an answer to the king
Fell a sun-beam on his ring
Showing by a heavenly ray,
"Even this will pass away".
- Theodore Tilten
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