When came the turn of the sixth man (to speak), crop-sickness from his fortune he dispelled*¹⁹⁵⁸.

He blessed the king’s successful rule and said, The people by your goodness are sustained.

I am a soldier, offspring of a Kurd, and, through my ancestors, of noble birth.

(The king’s) slave I, a soldier of (his) troops, my father also was the monarch’s slave.

I serve the king with (faithfulness and) truth; my father also did (the same) before.

I ever march against the monarch’s foes, with life and scimitar upon my palm.

Some time ago*¹⁹⁵⁹ the king had given his slave, in his beneficence, a piece of land*¹⁹⁶⁰.

In peace and safety I enjoyed the same, with (feelings of) devotion to the king.

The tyrant vazīr took it to himself; no one can stand against (such) tyranny.

Your slave had wife and children, but no wealth: except that land he had no property.

I went repeatedly with loud complaint, and said, Assist me for the sake of God;

That he might try (the case) by justice’ norm, and have compassion on my family;

Or (treating me) as spendthrift, destitute*¹⁹⁶¹, from the exchequer new provision give.

He shouted out at me, Be silent, you! Scrape from your arrow-heads the rust, yourself*¹⁹⁶².

Whilst the king, dull and sour, keeps idle so, ’twixt him and none does any trouble rise.

No enemy has come close to his gate, that troops and combating should be required.

Do not take up the trade of idleness; make bricks and build, for you have health for it.

Provisions failing, trouble not too much, go sell (your) horse and saddle and (your) arms.

I said, A fierce and cruel nature shun; behold my wretchedness, have fear of God.

Do not inflict by loss and poverty hardship on one who hardship has endured.

(Whilst) you stretched out your legs all night at ease, I to the sword stretched out my hand (to fight).

If you in the dominion use the pen*¹⁹⁶³, I, with the sword, march on (to meet the foe).

You use the pen, (and dip it) in black blood; I on the king’s opponents use the sword.

Take not from me that which the monarch gave, or else I’ll shortly seize his saddle-straps*¹⁹⁶⁴.

When he heard this address he was enraged; at me devoid of pen the ink-stand hurled*¹⁹⁶⁵.

He said, With ignorance and folly (crass) with water as a clod you’d threaten me*¹⁹⁶⁶.

With food-dispensing now you’d saddle me; and now you’d threaten with the monarch’s (ire).

The king I seated on the throne myself; all people on my mandates bow their heads.

The heads of kings are underneath my feet; they all have life (too) by my will (alone).

(And) if they did not take me as a friend, the vultures (surely) would devour their brains.

Striking me with his inkstand thus he spoke*¹⁹⁶⁷, he took my horse, accoutrements and arms.

Then after that gave me to murderers: (to be with such) he sent me to his jail.

For now about six years, nay, rather more, my heart has been distressed, my soul in pain.

The king with kindness gave him robe*¹⁹⁶⁸ and arms.— Long live the king who kindly treats his slaves!

When by (his) kindness he had made him smile, he gave him land of double the returns.