§ 1
The Prelude

Of heaven's dome revolving rapidly,
And ever restless in its instancy,
What shall I say? It giveth one a crown,
Another to the fishes in the sea;

C. 1867
To one man naked hands and head and feet,
No where to dwell in and no while to eat,
And to another beaver-skin, brocade,
And silk, with milk and honey for his meat.

The end of both, ensnared in bale's dark net,
Is in the dust, and had the sage ne'er set
Eyes on the world, nor passed through days of strife
As lord or liege, his lot were happier yet.

I treat the matter of Khusrau Parwíz,
And proffer to the reader novelties.
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