I have heard of a king who made a sign to put a captive to death. The hapless one, in a state of despair, began in the dialect he spoke to abuse the monarch, and use opprobrious language; as they say, “Everyone, who washes his hands of life, utters all he has in his heart.”
He that despairs, gives license to his tongue, As cats by dogs o’erpressed rush madly on.
The hand, when flight remains not, in despair Will grasp the point of the sharp scymitar.
The King asked, “What does he say?” One of the vazirs, who was of a good disposition, said, “O my Lord! he says that Paradise, whose breadth equalleth the heavens and the earth, is prepared for the godly, who bridle their anger, and forgive men; for God loveth the beneficent.” The King had compassion upon him, and gave up the intention of spilling his blood. Another vazir, who was his rival, said, “It beseems not such as we are to speak aught but truth in the august presence of kings. This person reviled the king, and spoke unbecomingly.” At this speech the King frowned and said, “That untruth of his is more acceptable to me than this truth which thou hast spoken; for that inclined towards a good purpose, and this to malevolence; and the sages have said, ‘Well-intentioned falsehood is better than mischief-exciting truth.’”
He that despairs, gives license to his tongue, As cats by dogs o’erpressed rush madly on.
The hand, when flight remains not, in despair Will grasp the point of the sharp scymitar.
The King asked, “What does he say?” One of the vazirs, who was of a good disposition, said, “O my Lord! he says that Paradise, whose breadth equalleth the heavens and the earth, is prepared for the godly, who bridle their anger, and forgive men; for God loveth the beneficent.” The King had compassion upon him, and gave up the intention of spilling his blood. Another vazir, who was his rival, said, “It beseems not such as we are to speak aught but truth in the august presence of kings. This person reviled the king, and spoke unbecomingly.” At this speech the King frowned and said, “That untruth of his is more acceptable to me than this truth which thou hast spoken; for that inclined towards a good purpose, and this to malevolence; and the sages have said, ‘Well-intentioned falsehood is better than mischief-exciting truth.’”
Words which beguile thee, but thy heart make glad, Outvalue truth which makes thy temper sad. They by whose counsels kings are ruled, ’twere shame If good in all they said were not their aim.
This maxim was inscribed over the vaulted entrance of Faridun’s palace.
DISTICHS.
The world, my brother! will abide with none, By the world's Maker let thy heart be won.
Rely not, nor repose on this world's gain, For many a son like thee she has reared and slain.
What matters, when the spirit seeks to fly, If on a throne or on bare earth we die?
Story II.
One of the kings of Khurasan beheld, in a dream, Sultan Mahmud Sabuktagin, a hundred years after his death, when all his body had dissolved and become dust, save his eyes, which, as heretofore, moved in their sockets and saw. All the sages were at a loss for the interpretation of this, except a darwesh, who made his obeisance, and said, “His eyes still retain their sight, because his kingdom is in the possession of others.”
This maxim was inscribed over the vaulted entrance of Faridun’s palace.
DISTICHS.
The world, my brother! will abide with none, By the world's Maker let thy heart be won.
Rely not, nor repose on this world's gain, For many a son like thee she has reared and slain.
What matters, when the spirit seeks to fly, If on a throne or on bare earth we die?
Story II.
One of the kings of Khurasan beheld, in a dream, Sultan Mahmud Sabuktagin, a hundred years after his death, when all his body had dissolved and become dust, save his eyes, which, as heretofore, moved in their sockets and saw. All the sages were at a loss for the interpretation of this, except a darwesh, who made his obeisance, and said, “His eyes still retain their sight, because his kingdom is in the possession of others.”
VERSE.
Full many a chief of glorious name Beneath the ground now buried lies, Yet not one token of his fame On earth's wide surface meets our eyes. That aged form of life bereft, Which to earth's keeping they commit, The soil devours; no bone is left, No trace remains to tell of it. The glorious name of Nushirvan Lives in his deeds year after year. Do good, my friend! and look upon This life as an occasion won For acting well, ere yet we hear Of thee, that thy career is done.
Story III.
I have heard of a prince who was of low stature and mean appearance, while his other brothers were tall and handsome. One day, his father surveyed him with loathing and contempt. The son had penetration enough to discover [his feelings], and said, “O my father! an intelligent dwarf is superior to an ignorant giant. Not every thing that is higher in stature is more valuable: ‘The sheep is clean and the elephant unclean.’
Full many a chief of glorious name Beneath the ground now buried lies, Yet not one token of his fame On earth's wide surface meets our eyes. That aged form of life bereft, Which to earth's keeping they commit, The soil devours; no bone is left, No trace remains to tell of it. The glorious name of Nushirvan Lives in his deeds year after year. Do good, my friend! and look upon This life as an occasion won For acting well, ere yet we hear Of thee, that thy career is done.
Story III.
I have heard of a prince who was of low stature and mean appearance, while his other brothers were tall and handsome. One day, his father surveyed him with loathing and contempt. The son had penetration enough to discover [his feelings], and said, “O my father! an intelligent dwarf is superior to an ignorant giant. Not every thing that is higher in stature is more valuable: ‘The sheep is clean and the elephant unclean.’
COUPLET.
Least of earth's mountain's is Sinai, yet all In worth and rank with God beneath it fall.
STANZA.
Hast thou heard how the lean sage wittily
A bloated fool’s presumption stilled? “The steed of Arab race, though slim he be, Transcends a stall with asses filled.” His sire laughed, and the Pillars of the State approved, and his brothers were mortally offended.
VERSE.
While a man’s say is yet unsaid, His weakness, merits, none descry; Think not each waste’s untenanted: A sleeping tiger there may lie.
I have heard, that at that time a dangerous enemy to the King shewed himself. When the two armies encountered, the first person who galloped forward on the field of battle was that young prince, exclaiming,
STANZA.
I’m not he that, on the battle-day, my back will meet thy sight; I’m one whose head thou’lt follow ’mid the dust and gory fight. He must stake carelessly his blood who joins in war’s grim strife; Who flies in war risks carelessly his fellow-soldier’s life.
Least of earth's mountain's is Sinai, yet all In worth and rank with God beneath it fall.
STANZA.
Hast thou heard how the lean sage wittily
A bloated fool’s presumption stilled? “The steed of Arab race, though slim he be, Transcends a stall with asses filled.” His sire laughed, and the Pillars of the State approved, and his brothers were mortally offended.
VERSE.
While a man’s say is yet unsaid, His weakness, merits, none descry; Think not each waste’s untenanted: A sleeping tiger there may lie.
I have heard, that at that time a dangerous enemy to the King shewed himself. When the two armies encountered, the first person who galloped forward on the field of battle was that young prince, exclaiming,
STANZA.
I’m not he that, on the battle-day, my back will meet thy sight; I’m one whose head thou’lt follow ’mid the dust and gory fight. He must stake carelessly his blood who joins in war’s grim strife; Who flies in war risks carelessly his fellow-soldier’s life.
He said this, and rushed on the hostile array; after overthrowing several veteran warriors he came back. As soon as he presented himself to his father, he kissed the ground of obedience and said,
STANZA.
Thou who my stature didst with scorn survey, Think not that roughness marks the bold in war; The slender courser in the battle-day Will the fat stall-fed ox outvalue far.
They relate that the host of the enemy was numerous, and this side fewer. A body of the latter prepared to fly; the young prince uttered a shout and said, “O men! exert yourselves, that ye may not be clothed in the dress of women.” The horsemen were inspired by his words with increased ardour, and made a simultaneous charge. I have heard that on that day they obtained a victory over the enemy. The King kissed his head and his eyes and embraced him, and each day entertained a stronger regard for him until he made him his heir. His brothers envied him, and put poison in his food. His sister saw it from a window, and closed the casement sharply. The young prince, by his acuteness, understood her meaning, and drew back his hand from the food, and said, “It is impossible that men of merit should perish, and those who have none should occupy their places.”
STANZA.
Thou who my stature didst with scorn survey, Think not that roughness marks the bold in war; The slender courser in the battle-day Will the fat stall-fed ox outvalue far.
They relate that the host of the enemy was numerous, and this side fewer. A body of the latter prepared to fly; the young prince uttered a shout and said, “O men! exert yourselves, that ye may not be clothed in the dress of women.” The horsemen were inspired by his words with increased ardour, and made a simultaneous charge. I have heard that on that day they obtained a victory over the enemy. The King kissed his head and his eyes and embraced him, and each day entertained a stronger regard for him until he made him his heir. His brothers envied him, and put poison in his food. His sister saw it from a window, and closed the casement sharply. The young prince, by his acuteness, understood her meaning, and drew back his hand from the food, and said, “It is impossible that men of merit should perish, and those who have none should occupy their places.”
What though the phoenix from the world take flight, ’Neath the owl’s shadow none will ere alight.
They acquainted the father with this circumstance. He sent for the brothers and gave them a fitting reproof. Afterwards he assigned to each a suitable portion of his dominions, so that faction subsided and discord was appeased. In relation to this they have said, that “Ten darweshes may sleep under one blanket, but one country cannot contain two kings.”
STANZA.
The man of God with half his loaf content, To darweshes the remnant will present; But though a king seven regions should subdue, He’ll still another conquest keep in view.
Story II.
A horde of Arabian robbers had fixed themselves on the summit of a mountain, and had stopped the passage of caravans, and the inhabitants of the country were in terror of their ambuscades, and the forces of the Sultan were repulsed by them, because they had possessed themselves of an inaccessible retreat in the crest of the mountain, and made it their refuge and place of abode. The governors of provinces in that direction took counsel as to the means of getting rid of the annoyance they occasioned, saying, “If this band maintain themselves any time in this fashion, resistance to them will become impossible.”
They acquainted the father with this circumstance. He sent for the brothers and gave them a fitting reproof. Afterwards he assigned to each a suitable portion of his dominions, so that faction subsided and discord was appeased. In relation to this they have said, that “Ten darweshes may sleep under one blanket, but one country cannot contain two kings.”
STANZA.
The man of God with half his loaf content, To darweshes the remnant will present; But though a king seven regions should subdue, He’ll still another conquest keep in view.
Story II.
A horde of Arabian robbers had fixed themselves on the summit of a mountain, and had stopped the passage of caravans, and the inhabitants of the country were in terror of their ambuscades, and the forces of the Sultan were repulsed by them, because they had possessed themselves of an inaccessible retreat in the crest of the mountain, and made it their refuge and place of abode. The governors of provinces in that direction took counsel as to the means of getting rid of the annoyance they occasioned, saying, “If this band maintain themselves any time in this fashion, resistance to them will become impossible.”
DISTICHS.
A single arm may now uptear A tree if lately planted there; But if it for a time you leave, No engine could its roots upheave.
A spade may the young rill restrain, Whose channel, swollen [by storms and rain], The elephant attempts in vain.
They came to the decision to depute a person to reconnoitre them: and these watched their opportunity until the robbers made a foray on a tribe and their hold was evacuated, when they despatched a small body of experienced veterans to conceal themselves in a defile of the mountain. At night, when the robbers returned, having accomplished their expedition, and brought back their spoil, they laid aside their arms and deposited their booty. The first enemy that attacked them was sleep. As soon as a watch of the night had passed—
COUPLET.
The solar orb sank down in night’s thick gloom, As, in the fish-maw, Jonas found a tomb.
A single arm may now uptear A tree if lately planted there; But if it for a time you leave, No engine could its roots upheave.
A spade may the young rill restrain, Whose channel, swollen [by storms and rain], The elephant attempts in vain.
They came to the decision to depute a person to reconnoitre them: and these watched their opportunity until the robbers made a foray on a tribe and their hold was evacuated, when they despatched a small body of experienced veterans to conceal themselves in a defile of the mountain. At night, when the robbers returned, having accomplished their expedition, and brought back their spoil, they laid aside their arms and deposited their booty. The first enemy that attacked them was sleep. As soon as a watch of the night had passed—
COUPLET.
The solar orb sank down in night’s thick gloom, As, in the fish-maw, Jonas found a tomb.
The valiant men leapt forth from their ambuscade and bound the hands of all of them, one after the other, behind their backs. In the morning they brought them to the palace of the king. He gave a sign to put them all to death. It happened that among them was a stripling, the fruit of whose youthful prime was but just ripening, and the bloom of the rose-garden of whose cheek had just expanded. One of the vazirs kissed the foot of the king’s throne, and bowed the face of intercession to the ground and said, “This child has not yet tasted the fruit of the garden of life, nor reaped enjoyment from the flower of his youth. I rely on the clemency and virtues of his Majesty, that he will oblige his slave by sparing his life.” The King looked displeased at these words, and his lofty understanding did not approve them, and he said,
COUPLET.
“The good in vain their rays will pour On those whose hearts are bad at core. T’ instruct the base will fail at last, As walnuts on a dome you cast.”
It is better to cut off their race and tribe, and more advisable to extirpate them root and branch; since, to extinguish a fire and to leave the embers, and to kill a serpent and preserve its young, are not the acts of wise men.
STANZA.
What though life’s water from the clouds descend, Thou’lt ne’er pluck fruit from off the willow-bough; Not on the base thy precious moments spend, Thou’lt ne’er taste sugar from the reed, I trow.
“The good in vain their rays will pour On those whose hearts are bad at core. T’ instruct the base will fail at last, As walnuts on a dome you cast.”
It is better to cut off their race and tribe, and more advisable to extirpate them root and branch; since, to extinguish a fire and to leave the embers, and to kill a serpent and preserve its young, are not the acts of wise men.
STANZA.
What though life’s water from the clouds descend, Thou’lt ne’er pluck fruit from off the willow-bough; Not on the base thy precious moments spend, Thou’lt ne’er taste sugar from the reed, I trow.
The vazir heard these words, and, willing or not, assented to them, and extolled the excellence of the king’s judgment and said, “What my lord (may his dominion be eternal!) has been pleased to say is the essence of truth: for had he been reared in the bond of the society of those evil persons he would have become one of them. However, your slave is in hopes that he will receive his education in the society of good men, and will adopt the character of the wise, since he is yet but a child, and the rebellious and perverse habits of those bandits have not fixed themselves in his nature; and in the traditions of the Prophet [it is said] ‘There is no person born but assuredly he is begotten [with a natural disposition] to the faith of Islam; then his parents make a Jew of him, or a Christian, or a Magian.’
STANZA.
Lot’s wife consorted with the unjust, and she Quenched in her race the light of prophecy. And the cave-sleepers’ dog sometime remained With good men, and the rank of man attained.
When he had thus spoken, a number of the councillors of state united with him in intercession, so that the king abstained from shedding his blood and said, “I have spared his life, though I disapprove of it.”
QUATRAIN.
Knowest thou what Zâl to valiant Rustam said? Deem not thy foeman weak, without resource; Full many a rill, from tiny springlet fed, Sweeps off the camel in its onward course.
In short, the vazir took the youth to his house and reared him delicately, and appointed a learned preceptor
to instruct him, who taught him elegant address and quickness in repartee, and all the manners fit for the service of kings, so that he was viewed with approbation by his compeers. At length the vazir related somewhat of his abilities and good qualities to his Majesty the king, saying, “The instruction of the wise has produced an effect upon him, and has expelled from his disposition his former ignorance.” The king smiled at these words and said,
Lot’s wife consorted with the unjust, and she Quenched in her race the light of prophecy. And the cave-sleepers’ dog sometime remained With good men, and the rank of man attained.
When he had thus spoken, a number of the councillors of state united with him in intercession, so that the king abstained from shedding his blood and said, “I have spared his life, though I disapprove of it.”
QUATRAIN.
Knowest thou what Zâl to valiant Rustam said? Deem not thy foeman weak, without resource; Full many a rill, from tiny springlet fed, Sweeps off the camel in its onward course.
In short, the vazir took the youth to his house and reared him delicately, and appointed a learned preceptor
to instruct him, who taught him elegant address and quickness in repartee, and all the manners fit for the service of kings, so that he was viewed with approbation by his compeers. At length the vazir related somewhat of his abilities and good qualities to his Majesty the king, saying, “The instruction of the wise has produced an effect upon him, and has expelled from his disposition his former ignorance.” The king smiled at these words and said,
COUPLET.
“The wolf’s whelp will at last a wolf become, Though from his birth he finds with man a home.”
After this, two years passed away, and a set of dissolute fellows in the quarter where he lived joined themselves to him, and formed a league with him, so that at a favourable opportunity he slew the vazir with his two sons, and carried off an immense booty, and took the place of his father in the robber’s cave, and became an avowed rebel. They acquainted the king. The king seized the hand of amazement with his teeth, and said,
VERSE.
“Who can from faulty iron good swords frame? Teaching, O Sage! lends not the worthless worth. The rain, whose bounteous nature’s still the same, Gives flowers in gardens, thorns in salt land birth. Salt ground will not the precious spikenard bear; Waste not thereon the seed of thy emprise: Who benefits on evil men confer, Upon the good no less heap injuries.”
“The wolf’s whelp will at last a wolf become, Though from his birth he finds with man a home.”
After this, two years passed away, and a set of dissolute fellows in the quarter where he lived joined themselves to him, and formed a league with him, so that at a favourable opportunity he slew the vazir with his two sons, and carried off an immense booty, and took the place of his father in the robber’s cave, and became an avowed rebel. They acquainted the king. The king seized the hand of amazement with his teeth, and said,
VERSE.
“Who can from faulty iron good swords frame? Teaching, O Sage! lends not the worthless worth. The rain, whose bounteous nature’s still the same, Gives flowers in gardens, thorns in salt land birth. Salt ground will not the precious spikenard bear; Waste not thereon the seed of thy emprise: Who benefits on evil men confer, Upon the good no less heap injuries.”
Story V.
I saw at the gate of the palace of Ughlamish the son of an officer endowed with intellect, quickness of parts, understanding and sagacity beyond description. Even from the time of his childhood the signs of greatness were found on his forehead, and the rays of luminousness visible and distinct in his countenance, and many hearts were enamoured of him.
COUPLET.
And high above his head shone lustrously The star of wisdom and of majesty.
In short, he became a favourite of the Sultan, for he possessed beauty of person and perfection of mind: and the sages have said, “Wealth consists in talent, not in goods; greatness, in understanding, not in age.” His compeers grew envious of him, and accused him of treason, and used fruitless endeavours to put him to death.
HEMISTICH.
While friends are true what can the foe effect?
The king asked him, “What is the cause of their hostility towards you?” He replied, “I have satisfied all who are under the shadow of the royal dominion, except the envious, who cannot be contented, except by the waning of my good fortune. May the wealth and auspicious destiny of my lord remain perpetual!”
I saw at the gate of the palace of Ughlamish the son of an officer endowed with intellect, quickness of parts, understanding and sagacity beyond description. Even from the time of his childhood the signs of greatness were found on his forehead, and the rays of luminousness visible and distinct in his countenance, and many hearts were enamoured of him.
COUPLET.
And high above his head shone lustrously The star of wisdom and of majesty.
In short, he became a favourite of the Sultan, for he possessed beauty of person and perfection of mind: and the sages have said, “Wealth consists in talent, not in goods; greatness, in understanding, not in age.” His compeers grew envious of him, and accused him of treason, and used fruitless endeavours to put him to death.
HEMISTICH.
While friends are true what can the foe effect?
The king asked him, “What is the cause of their hostility towards you?” He replied, “I have satisfied all who are under the shadow of the royal dominion, except the envious, who cannot be contented, except by the waning of my good fortune. May the wealth and auspicious destiny of my lord remain perpetual!”
VERSE.
This can I do—inflict distress on none; Envy’s its own distress—what can I there? Perish, O envious one! for thus alone Canst thou escape from thy self-nurtured care. The wretched long to witness the decay Of fortune’s favours to the happier few: But, though the bat be visionless by day,
Can we for this a fault or failing view In the sun’s fount of light? ’T were better far
A thousand of such eyes no vision knew, Than the bright radiance of the sun to mar.
This can I do—inflict distress on none; Envy’s its own distress—what can I there? Perish, O envious one! for thus alone Canst thou escape from thy self-nurtured care. The wretched long to witness the decay Of fortune’s favours to the happier few: But, though the bat be visionless by day,
Can we for this a fault or failing view In the sun’s fount of light? ’T were better far
A thousand of such eyes no vision knew, Than the bright radiance of the sun to mar.