THE wise Sharok, having rendered melodious the sugar-billed nightingale of his tongue in speech, said, “Know, O my intelligent prince, that I am an experienced bird, who have seen much of the caprices of the world, and the strange vicissitudes of fortune. Whenever I have beheld the flame of devotion arising on the gale of true piety, I always saw, that at length, through the kindly moisture of boundless mercy, the flowers of hope and shrubs of enjoyment became expanded and flourishing. Though the devious-moving skies, being for a time inimical, may keep thee fettered in the path of adversity, yet be not heart-shrunk, like the blighted rose-bud; for divine mercy can afford thee relief, and the perfume of success may yet be conveyed to the perception of thy soul.
“According to the sacred declarations, sorrow and joy are inseparable. Behind every misfortune follows relief; and after confinement, deliverance. Doubtless, the end of trouble is ease, and the guide to repose is labour.
“Moreover, it is necessary, shouldst thou attain the object, which at present is the cause of affliction to thy breast and distraction to thy heart, and again repose on the pillows of ease and enjoyment, that thou esteem refraining from four points as most incumbent upon thee and religiously binding. First, remember that it is not prudent to introduce from the recess of speculation any important measure upon the plain of action, without the serious consultation of experience; in order that, like the merchant’s daughter, thou be not subjected to the hazards of chance and the calamities of fortune.” The prince asked, what the adventure of the merchant’s daughter was? when the sharok replied as follows:*