So Bahrám
Inquired about the two, their words and ways.
A worthy said: “Lambak, the water-carrier,
O great, famed, noble king! is generous,
Doth keep a table, and is well disposed.
He passeth half the day in water-carrying,
The other half in entertaining guests,
And leaveth nothing over for the morrow,
While Baráhám is but a barren Jew,
And grasping, and his greed should be exposed.
He hath drachms, treasure, and dínárs, brocades,
And goods of all kinds, but none seeth his bread,
And he is ever wrathful at a guest.”*
The Sháh then bade a herald: “Go, proclaim
Before the court: ‘To every one concerned:
The water of the water-carrier,
Lambak, is bad to drink.’”
He stayed till Sol
Grew pale, then mounted a fleet steed and came,
Like wind, toward the dwelling of Lambak,
Knocked with the ring against the door, and cried:—
“A captain of the Íránian host am I,
The night is dark, and I have far to go.
Let me lodge here to-night. I will behave
With honour and discretion.”
Then Lambak,
Pleased with the voice of one that spake so fairly,
Made answer straight: “Come in, O cavalier!
And may the king approve thee. If ten others
Were with thee it were better: each had been
A moon above my head.”
Then Sháh Bahrám
Dismounted, and Lambak saw to the steed.
He gladly rubbed it down and haltered it,
Then, when Bahrám was seated, ran and brought
A chess-board*
and made shift to furnish food,
And all things needful, saying: “Noble sir!
The eating done, the host in high delight
Brought out a cup of wine. The Sháh was all
Amazement at that feast of his, kind speech,
And cheery mien, passed night there, and at dawn
Woke at the salutation of Lambak,
Who said: “Thy steed, good sooth, fared ill last
night.
Stay just this one day with me, and if thou
Wouldst have a comrade we will summon one,
And find the needful. Joy with me one day.”
The king made answer to the water-carrier:—
“I have not much on hand to-day.”
Lambak
Departed, taking divers water-skins,
But nobody appeared to buy his water.
In dudgeon he put off his vest and, taking
His porter's knot and bucket in his arms,
Went and procured instead at the bázár
Meat and dried curds, and in due course put on
The pot. His guest took note of all his trouble.
Lambak prepared the meal; they ate and drank,
And had another sitting. All that night
Bahrám had wine in hand; Lambak too loved it.
When it was day he hurried to Bahrám,
And said: “Be merry night and day, and franked
From trouble, grief, and toil. Consort with me
For yet another day, for, know, thy presence
Is life and goods to me.”
“Now God forbid
That we should not be happy for a third day,”
Bahrám said, while the water-carrier blessed him:—
“Be merry in thy heart and mate with fortune.”
He took to the bázár his water-skins
And tackle, which he pledged to some rich man,
Bought what he needed and returned in haste
Rejoicing to Bahrám, and said to him:—
“Help with the food, for man must cat.”
Bahrám
Took the meat promptly from him, cut it up,
And then proceeded with the cookery.
When they had eaten they took wine and goblet,
And first of all drank to the king of kings.
Lambak, when they had drunk, prepared for sleep,
And set a candle by Bahrám Gúr's couch.
The fourth day, when the sun shone and Bahrám Gúr
Awoke, his host approached and said: “Famed sir!
Thou hast resided in this small, dark house,