Story XIV.
One year there befell such a drought at Alexandria that the reins of endurance escaped from the hands of men, and the gates of heaven were closed against the earth, and the complaints of the terrestrial inhabitants ascended to heaven.
STANZA.
Nor beast, nor bird, nor fish, nor ant was there, But to the sky arose its cry of pain. Strange that the smoke-wreaths of the people's prayer Became not clouds, their streaming teardrops rain.
In such a year, an effeminate person (be he far from my friends!), to describe whom would be indecorous, especially in the august presence of the great; yet to pass over whom altogether in a careless manner would not be right, lest some party should impute it to the inability of the speaker: wherefore, we will sum up the matter with this couplet, that a little may be a sample of much, and a handful a specimen of an ass-load.
One year there befell such a drought at Alexandria that the reins of endurance escaped from the hands of men, and the gates of heaven were closed against the earth, and the complaints of the terrestrial inhabitants ascended to heaven.
STANZA.
Nor beast, nor bird, nor fish, nor ant was there, But to the sky arose its cry of pain. Strange that the smoke-wreaths of the people's prayer Became not clouds, their streaming teardrops rain.
In such a year, an effeminate person (be he far from my friends!), to describe whom would be indecorous, especially in the august presence of the great; yet to pass over whom altogether in a careless manner would not be right, lest some party should impute it to the inability of the speaker: wherefore, we will sum up the matter with this couplet, that a little may be a sample of much, and a handful a specimen of an ass-load.
COUPLET.
A Tartar might that wretch effeminate Slay, and not, therefore, merit a like fate.
Such a person, a partial description of whom thou hast heard, possessed that year incalculable wealth. He gave silver and gold to the necessitous, and kept a table for travellers. A party of darweshes, who were reduced to the last extremity by the violence of their hunger, formed the intention of accepting his invitation, and came to consult with me upon the matter. I withheld my consent, and said,
STANZA.
“Lions devour not food which dogs forego, Of hunger though they perish in their den. Give up thy frame to famine, want, and woe; But stretch not forth thy hand to baser men. A fool a second Faridun may be In wealth; yet him you lightly should esteem. Silk and brocade upon th’ unworthy seem Like gilding on a wall and lazuli.”
Story XV.
They said to Hatim Tai, “Hast thou seen or heard of any one in the world more magnanimous than thyself?” He replied, “Yes! One day I had sacrificed forty camels, and had gone out with the chiefs of the Arabs to a corner of the desert; there I saw a wood-cutter, who had collected a bundle of thorns. I said, ‘Why dost thou not go to Hatim’s entertainment? for the people have assembled at his board.’ He replied,
A Tartar might that wretch effeminate Slay, and not, therefore, merit a like fate.
Such a person, a partial description of whom thou hast heard, possessed that year incalculable wealth. He gave silver and gold to the necessitous, and kept a table for travellers. A party of darweshes, who were reduced to the last extremity by the violence of their hunger, formed the intention of accepting his invitation, and came to consult with me upon the matter. I withheld my consent, and said,
STANZA.
“Lions devour not food which dogs forego, Of hunger though they perish in their den. Give up thy frame to famine, want, and woe; But stretch not forth thy hand to baser men. A fool a second Faridun may be In wealth; yet him you lightly should esteem. Silk and brocade upon th’ unworthy seem Like gilding on a wall and lazuli.”
Story XV.
They said to Hatim Tai, “Hast thou seen or heard of any one in the world more magnanimous than thyself?” He replied, “Yes! One day I had sacrificed forty camels, and had gone out with the chiefs of the Arabs to a corner of the desert; there I saw a wood-cutter, who had collected a bundle of thorns. I said, ‘Why dost thou not go to Hatim’s entertainment? for the people have assembled at his board.’ He replied,
COUPLET.
‘By their own efforts those who earn their bread, Need not by Hatim Tai’s alms be fed.’
I perceived that in magnanimity and generosity he was my superior.”
Story XVI.
The Prophet Musa (on him be peace!) saw a darwesh who, to hide his nakedness, had concealed himself in the sand, and who said, “O Musa! pray for me, that God Most High may give me wherewith to live, for I am so weak as to be at the point of death.” Musa (peace be upon him!) prayed, so that God Most High granted him assistance. Some days after, when the Prophet was returning from his devotions, he saw the darwesh in custody, and surrounded by a crowd of people. He asked, “What has befallen him?” They replied, “He drank intoxicating liquor, raised a disturbance, and slew a man; now they are going to exact retaliation.”
VERSE.
Had the poor cat but wings, it would erase The sparrow’s progeny from nature’s face; So, too, the feeble, could they but prevail, Their fellow-impotents would soon assail.
‘By their own efforts those who earn their bread, Need not by Hatim Tai’s alms be fed.’
I perceived that in magnanimity and generosity he was my superior.”
Story XVI.
The Prophet Musa (on him be peace!) saw a darwesh who, to hide his nakedness, had concealed himself in the sand, and who said, “O Musa! pray for me, that God Most High may give me wherewith to live, for I am so weak as to be at the point of death.” Musa (peace be upon him!) prayed, so that God Most High granted him assistance. Some days after, when the Prophet was returning from his devotions, he saw the darwesh in custody, and surrounded by a crowd of people. He asked, “What has befallen him?” They replied, “He drank intoxicating liquor, raised a disturbance, and slew a man; now they are going to exact retaliation.”
VERSE.
Had the poor cat but wings, it would erase The sparrow’s progeny from nature’s face; So, too, the feeble, could they but prevail, Their fellow-impotents would soon assail.
Musa (peace be on him!) acknowledged the wisdom of the Creator, and expressed contrition for his boldness, repeating the verse, “And if God had plenteously afforded subsistence to His creatures, they would have rebelled on the earth.”
COUPLET.
What, proud one! plunged thee in this hapless plight? Would that the ant ne’er had the power of flight!
VERSE.
When to a blockhead riches, rank accrue, His folly on his head a buffet brings.
Is not this proverb of the sages true?
“’Twere better for the ant not to have wings.”
COUPLET.
Of honey hath the Sire a plenteous store; But the son’s feverish [and must not have more].
COUPLET.
That Being, who increases not thy wealth, Better than thou, knows what is for thy health.
So he travelled on till he came to the brink of a stream, by the violence of which stone was dashed upon stone, and whose noise resounded to the distance of a parasang.
COUPLET.
What, proud one! plunged thee in this hapless plight? Would that the ant ne’er had the power of flight!
VERSE.
When to a blockhead riches, rank accrue, His folly on his head a buffet brings.
Is not this proverb of the sages true?
“’Twere better for the ant not to have wings.”
COUPLET.
Of honey hath the Sire a plenteous store; But the son’s feverish [and must not have more].
COUPLET.
That Being, who increases not thy wealth, Better than thou, knows what is for thy health.
So he travelled on till he came to the brink of a stream, by the violence of which stone was dashed upon stone, and whose noise resounded to the distance of a parasang.
COUPLET.
A stream so dread, not birds were safe amid its waters' roar; The smallest of its waves would sweep a mill-stone from its shore.
There he saw a party of men who had each of them obtained a seat in a ferry-boat, for a small piece of gold, and whose baggage was ready packed. The young man's hand was closed from payment, but he loosened the tongue of compliment. In spite of all his supplication they rendered him no assistance, but said,
COUPLET.
“Thou canst not make thy strength of arm the want of gold supply; And hast thou gold, thou needest not to threaten or defy.”
The rude boatman turned from him with a laugh, and said,
COUPLET.
“Gold thou hast not; the passage o'er by force may not be won; What is the strength of ten men here? bring thou the gold for one.”
The young man was incensed at this sarcasm, and burned to revenge himself upon him. The boat had put off; he called out, “If thou wilt be content with this garment I am wearing, I will not refuse to give it.” The boatman's avarice was roused; he put back the boat.
A stream so dread, not birds were safe amid its waters' roar; The smallest of its waves would sweep a mill-stone from its shore.
There he saw a party of men who had each of them obtained a seat in a ferry-boat, for a small piece of gold, and whose baggage was ready packed. The young man's hand was closed from payment, but he loosened the tongue of compliment. In spite of all his supplication they rendered him no assistance, but said,
COUPLET.
“Thou canst not make thy strength of arm the want of gold supply; And hast thou gold, thou needest not to threaten or defy.”
The rude boatman turned from him with a laugh, and said,
COUPLET.
“Gold thou hast not; the passage o'er by force may not be won; What is the strength of ten men here? bring thou the gold for one.”
The young man was incensed at this sarcasm, and burned to revenge himself upon him. The boat had put off; he called out, “If thou wilt be content with this garment I am wearing, I will not refuse to give it.” The boatman's avarice was roused; he put back the boat.
COUPLET.
The eyes of men, though sharp, are closed by avarice; Greed will both bird and fish towards the net entice.
As soon as the young man's hand could reach the beard and collar of the boatman, he dragged him forward and knocked him down without mercy. His comrades came out of the boat to help him, and meeting with the same rough treatment, turned their backs, finding it their best plan to make peace with him, and excuse him the passage-money.
DISTICHS.
Act thou forbearingly when discord's rife, For gentleness will close the gates of strife. When thou seest broils arise, use courtesy; A sharp sword cuts not silk, though soft it be. With honeyed words, good humour on thy side, Thou, with a hair, an elephant mayst guide.
The eyes of men, though sharp, are closed by avarice; Greed will both bird and fish towards the net entice.
As soon as the young man's hand could reach the beard and collar of the boatman, he dragged him forward and knocked him down without mercy. His comrades came out of the boat to help him, and meeting with the same rough treatment, turned their backs, finding it their best plan to make peace with him, and excuse him the passage-money.
DISTICHS.
Act thou forbearingly when discord's rife, For gentleness will close the gates of strife. When thou seest broils arise, use courtesy; A sharp sword cuts not silk, though soft it be. With honeyed words, good humour on thy side, Thou, with a hair, an elephant mayst guide.
They fell at his feet, with excuses for their past conduct, and imprinted hypocritical kisses on his forehead and face, and brought him into the boat, and proceeded till they arrived at a pillar of a Grecian building which remained standing amid the waters. The boatman said, “The boat is in danger; let one of you, who is most courageous and valiant, and powerful, go to this pillar, and lay hold of the boat’s hawser, that we may pass by this building.” The young man, from the pride of valour which he felt, took no thought of his still smarting foe, and forbore to act in accordance with the saying of the wise, which they have uttered: “When thou hast wounded the heart of any one, even if thou shouldest subsequently do him a hundred favours, nevertheless deem not thyself safe from that one injury, for the shaft may have been extracted from the wound, yet the pang abide still in the heart.”
COUPLET.
How truthfully to Khailtash, Yaktash said; Is thy foe hurt?—then live not free from dread.
STANZA.
Fancy not thyself safe, for thou shalt moan, Who hast another treated cruelly. Against the castle-wall hurl not a stone, Lest from the walls a stone descend on thee.
He had no sooner twisted the hawser round his arm, and mounted the pillar, than the boatman twisted the rope from his hand, and urged on the boat. The athlete remained there helpless and astonished. For two days he endured his suffering and distress, and bore up against his hardships. On the third day sleep seized him by the collar, and plunged him in the water. After a night and a day he was cast on the shore, with the breath of life
just remaining. He began to eat the leaves of trees, and to pull up the roots of grass, until he recovered his strength a little. He then set his face toward the woods, and went on till he arrived, thirsty and hungry, and powerless, at the brink of a well. He saw a party of persons, who had assembled round it, and who were getting a draught of water for a small payment. The young man had no coin, not even the smallest; he asked for water, they refused it; he extended the hand of violence, but succeeded not. He struck down several of them; the men made a general attack upon him, beat him unmercifully, and wounded him.
How truthfully to Khailtash, Yaktash said; Is thy foe hurt?—then live not free from dread.
STANZA.
Fancy not thyself safe, for thou shalt moan, Who hast another treated cruelly. Against the castle-wall hurl not a stone, Lest from the walls a stone descend on thee.
He had no sooner twisted the hawser round his arm, and mounted the pillar, than the boatman twisted the rope from his hand, and urged on the boat. The athlete remained there helpless and astonished. For two days he endured his suffering and distress, and bore up against his hardships. On the third day sleep seized him by the collar, and plunged him in the water. After a night and a day he was cast on the shore, with the breath of life
just remaining. He began to eat the leaves of trees, and to pull up the roots of grass, until he recovered his strength a little. He then set his face toward the woods, and went on till he arrived, thirsty and hungry, and powerless, at the brink of a well. He saw a party of persons, who had assembled round it, and who were getting a draught of water for a small payment. The young man had no coin, not even the smallest; he asked for water, they refused it; he extended the hand of violence, but succeeded not. He struck down several of them; the men made a general attack upon him, beat him unmercifully, and wounded him.
STANZA.
Gnats will an elephant o'ercome, if they Unite against their foe, so huge and grim. And ants collected in one dense array, Though fierce the lion be, will vanquish him.
Urged by necessity, he followed a caravan, sick and wounded, and proceeded on. At night they arrived at a place which was perilous on account of robbers. He saw that a tremor pervaded the frames of the people of the caravan, and that they had made up their minds to be slain. He said, “Be not troubled, for I am one among you who will answer for fifty men, and the other braves will assist me.” The men's hearts were encouraged by his vaunt, and they were glad of his company, and ministered to him food and water. The fire was blazing up in the young man's stomach, and the reins of endurance had slipped from his hands. He devoured some mouthfuls with excessive voracity, and swallowed some gulps of water, till the demon within him was appeased, and slumber overcame him, and he slept. There was, in the caravan, an old man of experience, acquainted with the world, who said, “O my friends! I am more afraid of this guard of yours than of the robbers: as they tell that
Gnats will an elephant o'ercome, if they Unite against their foe, so huge and grim. And ants collected in one dense array, Though fierce the lion be, will vanquish him.
Urged by necessity, he followed a caravan, sick and wounded, and proceeded on. At night they arrived at a place which was perilous on account of robbers. He saw that a tremor pervaded the frames of the people of the caravan, and that they had made up their minds to be slain. He said, “Be not troubled, for I am one among you who will answer for fifty men, and the other braves will assist me.” The men's hearts were encouraged by his vaunt, and they were glad of his company, and ministered to him food and water. The fire was blazing up in the young man's stomach, and the reins of endurance had slipped from his hands. He devoured some mouthfuls with excessive voracity, and swallowed some gulps of water, till the demon within him was appeased, and slumber overcame him, and he slept. There was, in the caravan, an old man of experience, acquainted with the world, who said, “O my friends! I am more afraid of this guard of yours than of the robbers: as they tell that
an Arab had amassed a few dirhams: he could not sleep when alone in his house from dread of the Lurls. He brought one of his friends to be with him that he might get rid of the terrors of solitude by the sight of him. The friend remained some nights in his company, but as soon as he found out where his dirhams were, he carried them off and went on his travels. The next morning they saw the Arab despoiled and lamenting. They said, ‘What is the matter? has some robber carried off those dirhams of thine?’ He replied, ‘No! by Heaven, the guard has taken them.’
STANZA.
With a companion I ne'er felt secure Until I learned his inward qualities. Wounds from a foeman's tooth are worse t' endure When he has shown himself in friendship's guise.
STANZA.
With a companion I ne'er felt secure Until I learned his inward qualities. Wounds from a foeman's tooth are worse t' endure When he has shown himself in friendship's guise.
How know ye, O my friends! whether this young man, also, be not of the number of the robbers, and sent among us through stratagem, in order that, on a favourable opportunity, he may communicate with his friends? I, therefore, think it expedient to leave him asleep, and proceed on our journey.” The people of the caravan approved of the old man's advice, and felt a dread of the athlete arise in their hearts. They packed up their goods, and left the young man sleeping. He did not discover this until the sun was shining on his shoulders; he then raised his head, and saw that the caravan had departed. After wandering about a long time, he could not find his way, and thirsty and hungry, he placed his face on the ground, and fixed his thoughts on destruction, and said,
“Gone are the yellow camels now: who will address me more? The poor man has no comrade—no comrade but the poor.
“Gone are the yellow camels now: who will address me more? The poor man has no comrade—no comrade but the poor.
With the poor wanderer they will harshly deal, Who ne’er experienced what the friendless feel.”
He was uttering these words when a prince, who, in pursuit of a quarry, had got to a distance from his retinue, came and stood over him. He heard what he said; and looking on his form, saw that his external shape was comely, while his appearance betokened wretchedness. He asked him whence he was, and how he had come there. He related a portion of what had befallen him. The prince pitied him, bestowed on him a dress and gifts, and sent a confidential servant along with him to see him back to his own city. His father was glad to see him, and returned thanks for his safety. At night, he told his father what had befallen him; of the adventure of the boat, and of the injurious conduct of the boatman, and of the peasants, and of the treachery of the people of the caravan. The father said, “O son! did I not tell thee at the time of thy departure that the hands of the empty-handed, however brave they may be, are fettered, and their lion’s claws broken?
He was uttering these words when a prince, who, in pursuit of a quarry, had got to a distance from his retinue, came and stood over him. He heard what he said; and looking on his form, saw that his external shape was comely, while his appearance betokened wretchedness. He asked him whence he was, and how he had come there. He related a portion of what had befallen him. The prince pitied him, bestowed on him a dress and gifts, and sent a confidential servant along with him to see him back to his own city. His father was glad to see him, and returned thanks for his safety. At night, he told his father what had befallen him; of the adventure of the boat, and of the injurious conduct of the boatman, and of the peasants, and of the treachery of the people of the caravan. The father said, “O son! did I not tell thee at the time of thy departure that the hands of the empty-handed, however brave they may be, are fettered, and their lion’s claws broken?
That needy gladiator said right well, A grain of gold doth pounds of strength excel.”
The son said, “O father! undoubtedly, until thou endurest pain, thou wilt no treasure gain; and while thou riskest not thy life, thou wilt not subdue thy foe; and until thou scatterest abroad the seed, thou wilt not reap the harvest. Seest thou not, by a little matter of trouble which I have undergone, what an amount of treasure I have brought home; and by enduring the sting, what an abundance of honey I have obtained?
Though more than fate supplies we ne’er can gain, Yet must we strive that portion to obtain.
From the ravening monster’s jaw, should the diver pause and gasp, He’d never hold the precious pearl, the bright pearl, in his grasp.
The lower mill-stone revolves not, and hence, of necessity, supports the greater burden.
On what would savage lions feed? If they In their deep dens abode. The hawk would win Small sustenance did it ne’er seek its prey. And, like a spider’s, will thy limbs grow thin, If thine own house alone thou huntest in.
The son said, “O father! undoubtedly, until thou endurest pain, thou wilt no treasure gain; and while thou riskest not thy life, thou wilt not subdue thy foe; and until thou scatterest abroad the seed, thou wilt not reap the harvest. Seest thou not, by a little matter of trouble which I have undergone, what an amount of treasure I have brought home; and by enduring the sting, what an abundance of honey I have obtained?
Though more than fate supplies we ne’er can gain, Yet must we strive that portion to obtain.
From the ravening monster’s jaw, should the diver pause and gasp, He’d never hold the precious pearl, the bright pearl, in his grasp.
The lower mill-stone revolves not, and hence, of necessity, supports the greater burden.
On what would savage lions feed? If they In their deep dens abode. The hawk would win Small sustenance did it ne’er seek its prey. And, like a spider’s, will thy limbs grow thin, If thine own house alone thou huntest in.
The father said, “O son! this time heaven has befriended thee, and thy good fortune has been thy guide, so that thy rose has come forth from the thorn, and the thorn from thy foot; and, accordingly, one who possessed wealth, found thee out and enriched thee, and he had compassion on thee, and repaired thy broken fortunes, inquiring kindly into them; and such an occurrence is
rare, and one cannot govern one's conduct by events of rare occurrence. Beware lest thou be led by this greediness to hover a second time round this snare.
COUPLET.
The hunter does not always win the prey, Perchance a tiger may him rend one day.
rare, and one cannot govern one's conduct by events of rare occurrence. Beware lest thou be led by this greediness to hover a second time round this snare.
COUPLET.
The hunter does not always win the prey, Perchance a tiger may him rend one day.
As, once a king of Persia had a very precious stone in a ring. On a certain occasion he went out with some of his favourite courtiers, to amuse himself, to the mosque near Shiraz, called Musalla, and commanded that they should suspend the ring over the dome of Azad, saying that the ring should be the property of him who could send an arrow through it. It befell that four hundred archers, who plyed their bows in his service, shot at the ring. All of them missed. But a stripling, at play, was shooting arrows at random from a monastery, when the morning breeze carried his shaft through the circle of the ring. They bestowed the ring upon him, and loaded him with gifts beyond calculation. The boy, after this, burned his bow and arrows. They asked him why he did so. He replied, “That my first glory may remain unchanged.”
STANZA.
The sage whose bright mind mirrors truth, May sometimes wander wide of it: While, by mistake, the simple youth, Will, with his shaft, the target hit.
Story XXIX.
I have heard of a darwesh who had taken up his abode in a cave, and had closed the door before him on the world; while, in the eye of his lofty independence, kings and rich men had lost consideration.
STANZA.
Who, on himself, the door of begging opes, Will, to his death, in want remain. Quit greed, and as a monarch reign, For proud his station who for nothing hopes.
One of the neighbouring princes signified to him that he relied on the condescension of his courteous character, that he would come and partake of his bread and salt. The Shekh consented, as to accept an invitation is enjoined by the authority of the Prophet. The next day the king went to apologize for the trouble he had given him. The devotee arose and embraced the king, and treated him kindly. When the king was gone, one of the companions of the Shekh asked him, saying, “It is unusual with thee to display such tokens of regard to a king: what hidden meaning is there in this?” He replied, “Hast thou not heard that they have said,
The sage whose bright mind mirrors truth, May sometimes wander wide of it: While, by mistake, the simple youth, Will, with his shaft, the target hit.
Story XXIX.
I have heard of a darwesh who had taken up his abode in a cave, and had closed the door before him on the world; while, in the eye of his lofty independence, kings and rich men had lost consideration.
STANZA.
Who, on himself, the door of begging opes, Will, to his death, in want remain. Quit greed, and as a monarch reign, For proud his station who for nothing hopes.
One of the neighbouring princes signified to him that he relied on the condescension of his courteous character, that he would come and partake of his bread and salt. The Shekh consented, as to accept an invitation is enjoined by the authority of the Prophet. The next day the king went to apologize for the trouble he had given him. The devotee arose and embraced the king, and treated him kindly. When the king was gone, one of the companions of the Shekh asked him, saying, “It is unusual with thee to display such tokens of regard to a king: what hidden meaning is there in this?” He replied, “Hast thou not heard that they have said,
COUPLET.
‘If at another's table one has sat, 'Tis right, in turn, to rise and on him wait.’
DISTICHS.
The ear may never through one's life Hear sound of tabor, lute, or fife: The eye abstain from floral show: The brain the rose's scent not know: Though pillowed not on down, the head May on a stone find sleep instead: And when our arms no fair one hold, On our own breast we may them fold. But this vile belly, base and dull, Will never rest unless 'tis full.
‘If at another's table one has sat, 'Tis right, in turn, to rise and on him wait.’
DISTICHS.
The ear may never through one's life Hear sound of tabor, lute, or fife: The eye abstain from floral show: The brain the rose's scent not know: Though pillowed not on down, the head May on a stone find sleep instead: And when our arms no fair one hold, On our own breast we may them fold. But this vile belly, base and dull, Will never rest unless 'tis full.