01-11-2015, 08:08 AM
“Everyone aims at the same meaning, but many are the versions of the story.” -- Suleiman the Magnificent (Muhibbi)*
Prize of the Ottomans, this Russian slave
locked in Topkapi, a child of defeat,
lowest of concubines, gilded and caged,
how did she rise to the Sultana’s seat?
Suleiman, lawgiver, conqueror, lord
Shah of an Empire with vision and heart;
Stamboul, his capital, shone like a jewel
bursting with passion for culture and art.
Stories she told to amuse and beguile –
laughing Scheherezade, cheerful Khourrem,
shadows could never have hidden her smile;
swiftly she rose in the Sultan’s esteem.
Ibrahim Pasha, the Sultan’s vizier,
counselled for caution, but Suleiman fell
into her sunlight, wrapped tight in her words –
gold Roxelana had woven her spell.
Sultans don’t marry, the pashas advised,
play with her now but discard her in time --
Ibrahim, loudest of all, lost his life,
questioning love, his most serious crime.
Ruthless Khourrem played the courtly games well –
bride of the Sultan, she guarded his throne,
enemies vanished and plots ceased to be
she made the Ottoman nation her own.
Many detractors have muddied her name,
called her self-serving, the Sultan her tool,
maybe they’re right, but for me, I’d prefer
to see it as proof that in all, love will rule.
*The reign of Suleiman the Magnificent, known as Lawgiver to his people, was a golden age for the Ottoman (Muslim) empire. Serfs from Christian Europe would beg -- and receive -- shelter in his Empire and be treated more humanely than by their native rulers. Women were educated, held property and were able to achieve political positions -- most notably Suleiman and Roxelana's daughter Mihrimah Sultan, the patroness of many artists and architects, who was responsible for the construction of several libraries, schools, hospitals and charitable organisations.
Prize of the Ottomans, this Russian slave
locked in Topkapi, a child of defeat,
lowest of concubines, gilded and caged,
how did she rise to the Sultana’s seat?
Suleiman, lawgiver, conqueror, lord
Shah of an Empire with vision and heart;
Stamboul, his capital, shone like a jewel
bursting with passion for culture and art.
Stories she told to amuse and beguile –
laughing Scheherezade, cheerful Khourrem,
shadows could never have hidden her smile;
swiftly she rose in the Sultan’s esteem.
Ibrahim Pasha, the Sultan’s vizier,
counselled for caution, but Suleiman fell
into her sunlight, wrapped tight in her words –
gold Roxelana had woven her spell.
Sultans don’t marry, the pashas advised,
play with her now but discard her in time --
Ibrahim, loudest of all, lost his life,
questioning love, his most serious crime.
Ruthless Khourrem played the courtly games well –
bride of the Sultan, she guarded his throne,
enemies vanished and plots ceased to be
she made the Ottoman nation her own.
Many detractors have muddied her name,
called her self-serving, the Sultan her tool,
maybe they’re right, but for me, I’d prefer
to see it as proof that in all, love will rule.
*The reign of Suleiman the Magnificent, known as Lawgiver to his people, was a golden age for the Ottoman (Muslim) empire. Serfs from Christian Europe would beg -- and receive -- shelter in his Empire and be treated more humanely than by their native rulers. Women were educated, held property and were able to achieve political positions -- most notably Suleiman and Roxelana's daughter Mihrimah Sultan, the patroness of many artists and architects, who was responsible for the construction of several libraries, schools, hospitals and charitable organisations.
It could be worse
