Also,*
A person, whose affections were sunk into the mire,
Held language in disparagement of a virtuous man.
A tale-bearer informed the virtuous man of his discourse;
And observe, in what manner he strung the pearls of his inward sentiments.
“Before me is a road, wide and far-extending;
“And I am sinking in a deep sea with a thousand perplexi­ties.
“If good fortune should guide me to the shore,
“And I draw myself forth from this abyss,
“I have no fear of his evil speaking:
“How can a pure soul contract pollution?
“But if my pitcher come not up entire;
“If my cords resolve to flax, and my works are weak;
“Let no one speak better of me than he speaks;
“I shall be deserving of much bitterer language than his.”
HAZIN, learn the manners of those that walk in the way;
And take the talk of the world altogether as empty wind.
Thy business at present is with thyself;
Spend not thy time about the good or bad qualities of others.
Thy companions are perfidious, thy road is intricate;
Risk on no diversion the opportunity of performing thy jour­ney.
 
Also.*
One night I raised my head from my bosom,
As a sigh that rises from wounded hearts;
Avidity stood conspicuous to my sight,
With countenance more hideous than the ugliest of faces.
I said to her, O banished of the wise and men of sense!
Who is thy father, pray tell me, in this world?
She said, Doubt in providence and destiny,
And closing the eyes to the creator of loss and profit.*
I rejoined, Tell me, what is thy occupation?
What dost thou weave in this workshop of two surfaces?
What manufacture dost thou carry on in general and in par­ticular?
She replied, Corruption, ignominy, and baseness.
I said to her, About the gain arising from thy trade,
Give me some information, O stupid wench!
What is thy end, and what is thy issue?
She answered, It is disappointment; and so farewell.
 
Also.*
I have heard that Isa, on whom be peace!
Had an ass, very lazy and tender-footed.
In a whole day he would not travel two farsangs;
Was an ass ever quick-paced from his own spiritedness?
It so happened that one night he had no mind for water,
And the heart of Isa burnt with pain for his indisposition.
With all his occupation in the duties of the rubric, and the length of his prayers,
Amidst his continual supplications, and his secret and men­tal murmurs of devotion,
He was unable that night to take a moment's rest.
I have heard that he shewed him water two hundred times.
A disciple filled with wonder at this extraordinary sight
Had the curiosity to ask the meaning of it, and received for answer:
“If the speechless ass should be thirsty,
“What shall he do? Whom shall he bring as his interpreter?
“The fire of oppression might be lighted up,
“And my reputation brought to the level of the ground.
“It would be inhuman to force him the whole day long
“To carry burdens, and at night to leave him parched with thirst.
“We must not be negligent of his affairs,
“Since the care of them is entrusted to our charge.
HAZIN, from the proceedings of the good and virtuous
Learn a generous humanity, and set thy heart on their prac­tice.
Why art thou bewildered? See the road of worthy men;
Behold on this path the steps of travellers.
Take a draught from the cup of polished manliness;
And wake thy sleeping heart with a sprinkle of cold water.

Taste for poetical and elegant composition has turned the reins of my ink-dropping pen away from the road which lay before it. Let not those who look into my work take occasion hence to criticise me.