In my fortunate star, the desire I have fed,
That the wing of the Simurgh might soar o'er my head.
Said Wisdom-"The Simurgh none wealthy has made:
If you wish to be prosp'rous, come under this shade!”
Oh God, a most merciful look Thou hast shown,
Since over the people this shade Thou hast thrown.
For this state of prosperity, slave-like, I pray :-
"Oh God! never take this good shadow away
It is just ere you kill to confine for a space;
For the head that is severed you cannot replace.
The Lord of all wisdom and pomp and command,
From the clamour of man shows not weakness of hand.
To the arrogant head, of forbearance bereft,
It is wrong that the crown of a king should be left.
When you're warlike, I do not say, hold by your own
But, when you are angry, let wisdom be shown!
Whoever has wisdom can patience display-
Not the wisdom that anger can hold in its sway.
When the army drove Anger from ambush to light,
Faith, Justice and Piety vanished from sight.
Such a demon as this, I've not seen 'neath the sky,
From whom such an army of angels should fly.
To drink water is wrong should the law not permit ;
And if blood you should shed by the law, it is fit.
If the law should decide that 'tis proper to slay,
Take care, that in killing no fear you display !
If some of the criminal's household you know,
Award to them freely, and comfort bestow!
For the man who committed the crime is to blame ;
What have wife and poor children done, meriting shame?
Though your body be strong and your army be great,
Do not march with your troops through an enemy's state!
For he to a strong, lofty fortress will fly,
And harm to the guiltless dominion comes nigh.
Examine the men who in dungeons are bound!
For among them an innocent man may be found.
If a merchant should happen to die in your land,
'Twould be meanness to lay on his riches a hand!
For afterwards those who lament for him sore,
His household and friends, will repeat o'er and o'er :—
"This luckless one died in a far distant land,
And his chattels were seized by the tyrant's mean hand."
Let that fatherless child of your thoughts have a share!
Of the sighs from his heart, full of anguish, beware!
There are many good names with a fifty years' root,
That one mention of evil will hurl under foot.
Agreeable rulers, with permanent names,
On the people's effects make no tyrannous claims.
Should a man rule the world from the East to the West,
And plunder the rich, he's a beggar at best.
The generous man went, from poverty, hence;
He filled not his paunch at the pauper's expense.
(ON SYMPATHY FOR SUBJECTS).
I have heard that a king who was just and devout,
Had a cloak, having lining both inside and out.
One addressed him :—“ Oh monarch of fortunate reign!
A cloak of brocade, brought from China, obtain !"
He replied, "This for cov'ring and comfort will do ;
And if this you exceed, 'tis for people to view.
From my subjects I do not the taxes collect,
That my person, my throne, and my crown may be decked.
Were I in the clothes of a woman to dress,
By manhood! when would I the foeman repress?
I also have longings, a hundred and more,
But not solely for me is the treasury's store."
For the sake of the army, are treasuries full ;
Not for purchasing trinkets and toys, as a rule.
The soldier whose heart with the king is irate,
Is slow in protecting the bounds of the State.
When the foe bears the villager's ass from his pow'r,
The king should not taxes, and tithes, too, devour.
The foe stole his ass, and the king levied tax;
Could a State show prosperity, cursed with such racks?
'Tis ungen'rous to trample on one you supplant;
The miserly bird takes the grain from the ant.
The subject's a tree, unto which, if you tend,
The fruit you will eat to the joy of your friend.
With cruelty, dig it not up fruit and root;
For the fool on himself places tyranny's foot.
Those have tasted the pleasures of fortune and youth,
Who towards their subjects have exercised ruth.
If a subject should chance from his station to fall,
Take care! lest to God for redress he should call.
When a state can be peacefully gained for the king,
By war, the red blood from a pore do not bring!
By manhood! the realm with a world in its bound,
Is not worth, that a blood-drop should fall to the ground.
I have heard that Jamshed,' whose good nature was known,
On the head of a fountain inscribed with a stone:-
"At this fountain great numbers, like us, have drawn breath,
Who, within an eye's twinkle, have tasted of death.
I have conquered a world by my manhood and strength;
And yet, to the grave cannot bear it at length."
When over a foe you can pow'r exercise,
Do not gall him! the sorrow for him should suffice.
A living foe near you, whose mind is a wreck,
Is better by far, than his blood on your neck.
(ABOUT DARIUS AND HIS HORSEKEEPER).
I have heard that Darius, of fortunate race,
Got detached from his suite, on the day of the chase.
Before him came running a horse-tending lout;
The king from his quiver an arrow pulled out,—
In the desert, 'tis well to show terror of foes,
For at home not a thorn will appear on the rose ;-
The terrified horse-keeper uttered a cry,
Saying "Do not destroy me! no foeman am I.
I am he who takes care of the steeds of the king;
In this meadow, with zeal to my duty I cling."
The king's startled heart found composure again;
He smiled and exclaimed :-"Oh most foolish of men !
Some fortunate angel has succoured you here;
Else the string of my bow, I'd have brought to my ear."
The guard of the pasturage smiled and replied :—
Admonition, from friends, it becomes not to hide.
The arrangements are bad and the counsels unwise,
When the king can't a friend from a foe recognize.
The condition of living in greatness is so,
That ev'ry dependant you have you should know.
You often have seen me when present at Court,
And inquired about horses and pastures and sport.
And now that in love I have met you again,
Me you cannot distinguish from rancorous men.
As for me, I am able, oh name-bearing king!
Any horse out of one hundred thousand to bring.
With wisdom and judgment as herdsman I serve;
Do you, in like manner, your own flock preserve!"
In that capital anarchy causes distress,
Where the plans of the king than the herdsman's are less.
When will you give ear to a suppliant's cry?
Your bed-chamber roof is in Saturn, on high.
So sleep, that lamenting may come to your ear,
Should a suppliant carry his clamouring near.
He complains of the tyrant who lives in your reign;
For each wrong he commits unto you will pertain.
The skirt of the trav'ller, the dog did not tear,
But the ignorant peasant who reared him with care.
Oh Sādi! in speech you have shown yourself bold;
The victory win! since the sabre you hold.
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