If the sun upon his table-cloth instead of dry bread lay, In all the world none would behold again the light of day.
The warrior replied, “If I ask him for the remedy, he may give it or he may not; and if he give it, it may do me good or it may not. In every case to ask of him is deadly poison.”
Whoe’er to beg of sordid persons stoops, His flesh may profit, but his spirit droops.
And the wise have said, “Were they, for example, to sell the water of life at the price of honour, a wise man would not buy it; since to die honourably is better than to live disgracefully.”
The colocynth from friends tastes better far, Than sweets from those whose features scowling are.
One of the learned had a large family and small means. He stated his case to a great personage who entertained a favourable opinion of him. The great man was displeased with the request, and regarded with disapprobation this annoyance of begging on the part of a man of decorum.
The warrior replied, “If I ask him for the remedy, he may give it or he may not; and if he give it, it may do me good or it may not. In every case to ask of him is deadly poison.”
Whoe’er to beg of sordid persons stoops, His flesh may profit, but his spirit droops.
And the wise have said, “Were they, for example, to sell the water of life at the price of honour, a wise man would not buy it; since to die honourably is better than to live disgracefully.”
The colocynth from friends tastes better far, Than sweets from those whose features scowling are.
One of the learned had a large family and small means. He stated his case to a great personage who entertained a favourable opinion of him. The great man was displeased with the request, and regarded with disapprobation this annoyance of begging on the part of a man of decorum.
Seekest thou thy friend? let not thy face be sad With thy misfortunes, lest thou cloud his joy: When asking favours let thy looks be glad; For fortune’s not to smiling brows more coy.
They relate that he increased his allowance a little, and diminished his regard for him much. After some days, when the learned man saw that the great man’s wonted friendship was not continued to him, he said,
“Me on that food which through base means you taste! The cauldron’s established, but your worth’s abased.
My bread increases; but my name’s depressed: Sure want is better than a base request.”
A darwesh was suffering from a pressing exigency. Some one said to him, “Such a one possesses incalculable wealth. If he were informed of your wants, he would probably not allow of any delay in relieving them.” He replied, “I do not know him.” The other answered, “I will conduct thee.” He took his hand and brought him to that person’s door. The darwesh beheld a man with a hanging lip, and sitting in an ill-tempered attitude: he said not a word and went back. The other said to him, “What hast thou done?” He replied, “I renounced his gift for the sake of his looks.”
They relate that he increased his allowance a little, and diminished his regard for him much. After some days, when the learned man saw that the great man’s wonted friendship was not continued to him, he said,
“Me on that food which through base means you taste! The cauldron’s established, but your worth’s abased.
My bread increases; but my name’s depressed: Sure want is better than a base request.”
A darwesh was suffering from a pressing exigency. Some one said to him, “Such a one possesses incalculable wealth. If he were informed of your wants, he would probably not allow of any delay in relieving them.” He replied, “I do not know him.” The other answered, “I will conduct thee.” He took his hand and brought him to that person’s door. The darwesh beheld a man with a hanging lip, and sitting in an ill-tempered attitude: he said not a word and went back. The other said to him, “What hast thou done?” He replied, “I renounced his gift for the sake of his looks.”
To one of scowling face tell not thy woes, Lest that his evil temper should thee pain;
But if thy griefs thou shouldst at all disclose, Be it to one from whom thou mayst obtain, In his kind countenance, a ready gain.
But if thy griefs thou shouldst at all disclose, Be it to one from whom thou mayst obtain, In his kind countenance, a ready gain.