Raphael Patkanian

1830-1892 / Armenia

Praise To The Sultan

OUR thanks to you, great Sultan ! You have turned
Armenia to a chaos of hewn stone;
Daily by myriads you have slaughtered us;
Our thriving hamlets you have overthrown.
Glory and fame unto your Majesty!
Following the Koran’s law, you have not feared
Our holy Bible’s pages to defile;
With filth and mire the cross you have besmeared.
Our gratitude to you, great Padishah !
Gain from our slaughter has accrued to you;
Your intimate associates you have made
Circassians foul, and Koords, a thievish crew.
In noisome dungeons, thousands glorify
Your Sovereign Majesty with loud acclaims.
You leave no blank in all the calendar,
But fill each space with myriad martyrs’ names.
Armenia’s happy ruins, glorious King,
Will ne’er forget you; on our history’s page
Your wondrous deeds and your illustrious name
Shall blazoned be, to live from age to age.
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