Ballad of Aladdin’s Lamp.

Ballad of Aladdin’s Lamp.
505.2

Aladdin was a lucky man,
The genii wrought, at his behest,
According to this simple plan:
He rubbed the lamp, they did the rest.
But you should be as greatly blessed –
Your magic lamp, unrubbéd still,
Lies all forgotten or unguessed –
The genii wait to work your will.

That princely castle that you scan
With envy on yon mountain crest,
Uprose, obedient, arch and span,
To slaves into his service pressed
By one who heeded jibe nor jest,
But rubbed his lamp serenely till
‘Twas finished. -Laggards, long distressed,
The genii wait to work your will.

If only you do what you can
And put your magic to the test,
The palace that in dreams began,
The rainbow treasure of your quest,
With form and truth you will invest,
For diligence is served by skill;
So rub your lamp and do your best,
The genii wait to work your will.

Oh, brother dreamers,
East and West,
Whose great air-castles come to nil,
Wakel Rub the lamp by each possessed,
The genii wait to work your will.
-Thomas Lomax Hunter.