To this tale the promoter of learning gave heed;
He grew angry and said, "What a wonder, indeed!
An envious friend's not approved in your sight;
I know not who taught you that sland'ring was right!
If he chooses, through baseness, the pathway to hell,
By a different road you will reach there, as well.”
some one said, "is a tyrant well known;
His heart is as hard as a piece of black stone;
Of the sighs and complaints of mankind, without dread; Oh God, bring the people's revenge on his head!"
An experienced person of very great age,
To the youth gave a bit of advice, very sage:
"They'll seek justice from him, for the poor he oppressed,
And from them, for the hatred of him they expressed.
From him and his service, withhold you your hand!
For Time will itself bring him under command.
Do not fancy that I sympathize with his ways!
Or bestow upon you, for your backbiting, praise."
Sin bears the unfortunate person to Hell,
Who has made his cup full and his book black, as well.
Another, by backbiting, runs at his rear,
Lest to Hell, by himself, his lone course he should steer.
1 Hajaj, a notorious tyrant who ruled Arabian Irāk in the seventh century.
(OF THE HOLY MAN AND THE YOUTH).
I have heard that among the religious, one had
In pleasantry joked with a good-looking lad.
The other good men, who in solitude dwell,
Discussed in his absence his shortcomings well.
This story at length with rapidity spread;
To the man who was pious they told it; he said:
"Do not rend a friend's cover, love-stricken in plight;
Good humour's not wrong, nor is backbiting right!"
(ON PURIFICATION BEFORE PRAYER).
In my childhood, a longing to fast filled me quite;
I could not distinguish the left from the right.
An adorer among the good men of the place,
Taught me all about washing the hands and the face.
First, repeat, "In God's name," as the prophet commands!
Next determine a vow! wash the palms of your hands!
After that, wash your mouth and nose thrice, with despatch!
The nostrils with both little fingers, then, scratch!
With the forefinger, afterwards, rub the front teeth;
For a tooth-brush is wrong when the sun sinks beneath.
Dash a handful of water, then, thrice in your face!
From the hair of the head to the chin, is the place.
After that, wash your arms to the elbows in height !
In worshipping God, all you know, then, recite !
You should next rub your head! wash, thereafter, your feet;
"In the name of the Lord," the ablution's complete.
No person knows better than I the good rule;
The village old man is a doting, old fool.
This remark reached the ear of the old, village lord;
He was angry and said, "Oh thou sinner, abhorred !
It was wrong to brush teeth, you said, during a fast;
Is eating dead men, then, a lawful repast?
Of unspeakable words, first, your mouth you should scour !
Then, wash it of things you're forbid to devour!”
When, in talking, the name of a person you state,
His name and his fame in the best way relate!
you say, "Men are asses," whenever you can,
Do not think they will give you the name of a man!
So speak of my character inside the street,
That the words you can state to myself, when we meet.
If you blush when you see the inspector appear,
Oh thou, sightless! is God, the Omniscient not here?
No shame on account of yourself comes to thee;
For you're careless of God and ashamed before me.
(OF THE SLANDERER'S REPROOF).
Some resolute men, knowing God in their heart,
Were seated, conversing together, apart.
One among them began to revile and deride;
And in sland'ring a helpless one, ope'd the door wide.
Another addressed him, "Oh prejudiced friend!
Did you ever in war with crusaders contend?"
He replied, "From behind the four walls that I own;
In my lifetime, a foot to the front I've not shown."
The pure-hearted Dervish his answer thus gave:
66 I have never beheld such an infamous knave!
For while infidels sit from his warring secure,
Musalmans must his tongue's fiery venom endure !"
(OF THE MADMAN AND BACKBITING).
How well did a madman of Mărghăz1 recite
A truth, that should make one his under lip bite!
"If I mention in enmity any one's name
When speaking, I only my mother defame;
For philosophers, cherishing wisdom, agree
That a mother's devotion's the best that can be."
Oh thou of good name! should a friend pass
Two things all his friends are forbidden to do:
One is, foolishly wasting his money, and then,
Reviling his name in the presence of men.
Whoever advances men's names with disgrace,
On his speaking with fairness, no hope you need place. When you turn your own back, about you he relates, What in other men's absence, before you he states.
In this world he, in my estimation, is wise,
Who can mind his own business and earth's joys despise.
1 Mărghǎz, name of a village in Persia.
(ON PERSONS YOU MAY BACKBITE).
Three persons, I've heard, you may justly backbite;
When these you've exceeded, the fourth is not right.
The first is a king, to oppression inclined,
Through whom you see ruin on ev'ry one's mind;
It is lawful to mention the news ev'rywhere,
That respecting him, people may exercise care.
Next; a veil on a wretch, void of shame, do not weave!
For with his own fingers his screen he will reave!
In reviling him, brother, you sin not one whit!
For headlong he tumbles, down into a pit !
Third; the teller of falsehoods who deals in false weight ; Whatever you know of his wrong doings, state!
(OF THE ROBBER AND THE Grocer).
A robber came out of the desert one day,
And passed by the gate of Sistan,1 on his way.
From a grocer, who tended a stall in the street,
He purchased some victuals and dainties, to eat.
The grocer purloined from him half of a "Dang";
The thief, of dark deeds, thus commenced to harangue :
"Consume Thou! oh God! the night-robber, I pray!
For the Sistani robs in the broad light of day."
1 Sīstān, Nimrōz, a city in Persia where Rustam lived.
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