THE COMING OF JOSEPH OUT OF THE PRISON, AND THE HONOURING OF HIM BY THE KING, AND THE DEATH OF THE VAZIR.

The custom in this ancient cell is this;
Without pains bitter there is no sweet bliss.
A child for nine months eating blood must lie,
But with its moon-like face comes by-and-bye.
In rock the ruby hardship much goes through
Before the bright sun gives its proper hue.
When Joseph's night turned from its weary way,
A remedy appeared with rising day.
When as a mountain heavy was his woe,
Rose from behind the hill the sun in glow.
To pay him all respect and honour due,
The courtiers soon their monarch's message knew.
From the king's hall that aped the sun in pride,
Beyond the plain two farsangs* on each side,
On to the jail two rows there stood arrayed,
And his own retinue each there displayed.
There saucy slaves with golden girdles wait,
In robes of golden cloth, of graceful gait.
Of sun-like forms the singers thither throng,
With strains of Hebrew and of Syrian song.
There of rough-riders a whole army ride,
On Arab steeds, exulting in their pride,
With lords of Egypt reck'ning that defied,
Who scattered offerings on ev'ry side.
The poor around, in hope of reaping them,
One stretched his robe, the next his garment's hem.
As Joseph came towards the royal seat,
With robe of honour for a monarch meet,
Upon a charger, which, from foot to crown,
With gold and jewels thou wouldst say would drown.
Of musk and amber trays stood everywhere;
And purses full of pearls and jewels rare
Men scattered freely on the horses' road.
Beggars became free of their beggar's load.
When came the royal palace into sight,
Did Joseph from his swift-paced steed alight.
Beneath his feet were silk and satin spread;
To cast beneath his feet they raised the head.
He walked over satin and fine brocade,
As the moon in the sky, over satin laid.
Of his approaching when the monarch knew,
To meet him fortune-like he forward flew.
Tight to his own bosom him he drew,
As rose-cheeked cypress, box of rosy hue.
On his own throne he placed him by his side,
And to sweet questionings himself applied.
First of his dream he asked him the intent;
His sweet lip Joseph to explain then bent.
Of ev'rything he asked him after this,
Nor did he circumstance or action miss.
With pleasant and sweet answers he replied,
And the king's wonder grew and multiplied.
At last he said: “This dream that I have seen,
“And which by thee interpreted has been,
“For this what remedy can I provide,
“The sorrow of the world to set aside?”
He answered: “Now of plenty in the day,
“When cloud and dew to fall do not delay,
“Thou shouldst by crier in each realm enjoin
“To tillage people should themselves confine:
“With their own nails the hardest rock should tear,
“With sweat of face to sow the seed prepare.
“And when the ear the swelling grain shall fill,
“Lay it aside for future eating still:
“From the corn's body growing thus the spike
“Upon the face of foes a spear to strike.
“Those ears when in the house they thus shall store,
“Or famine or want shall be seen no more.
“Let each one take for his mournful desire,
“All from those treasures that he may require.
“In all things caution let them exercise,
“And prove in management that they are wise;
“That he to do the work who has the skill,
“That work may yet be able to fulfil.
“In aught that in the world thou mayest try,
“More learned pledge thou wilt not find than I.
“The matter's management confide to me,
“No one more suited to it canst thou see.”
And when the king saw his ability,
In Egypt's realm he raised his dignity.
He placed the army under his command,
To his authority gave up the land;
He placed him in his seat on golden throne,
With many honours Egypt's Vazír known.
When with his foot the golden throne he graced,
Beneath his feet the whole world's head was placed.
When from the hall upon the plain he went,
The voice of heralds the high heaven rent.
On ev'ry side when he to ride was wont,
A thousand grooms would move along in front.
When through a province he his course would hold,
A countless army there one might behold.
When God had Joseph thus exalted high,
And given with his rank nobility,
Fortune from Egypt's Vazír turned away,
Reversed of dignity his standard lay.
He took this injury so much to heart
That he became the target to Death's dart.
Zuleikha turned her tow'rds the wall of woe;
Parted from Joseph, was her back a bow,
Backed no more by the Vazír's dignity,
Nor was her heart from grief for Joseph free.
To be aye slow to love, and quick to hate,
In this abode of woe's the work of Fate.
One like the sun it raises to the sky,
One like a shadow on the ground may lie.
Happy that wise man who in ev'ry thing
To his own work no confidence may bring.
Not through good fortune is his head raised high,
Nor his soul melts in ruin's misery.