Bahrām sits on Tuesday in the Red Dome, and the daughter of
the king of the Fourth Clime tells him a story.
When came December’s month, upon a day short as a night
is in the month of June,—
The best of all the (seven) days of the week, Tuesday its
happy and auspicious name
15311531,
The day of Mars, and martial (too) its hue;—(on such a
day) Bahrām, namesake of both
15321532,
Adornment, red with red together, leagued, and to the Red
Dome hastened at the dawn.
The fair Slavonian rosy-red of cheek, in hue like fire, like water
all benign,
Ran up to meet the king, and homage paid, and with her sleeve
swept from his cheek the dust.
For service worshipful she then prepared,—’tis sweet to see
a moon adore the sun.
When night had raised its gilded globe on high, and dimmed
the lustre of the solar cup,
She, honeyed apple, sweet and rosy-hued, was asked by him to
tell a cheerful tale.
The charming one resisted not his will; she cast pearls from
cornelian at his feet
15331533:
You, to whose Gate the sky as threshold serves; orb of the
sun and of the moon your tent;
Higher than every pearl that one can bore
15341534, better than
every word that one can speak!
No one so bold as to approach you near;—blind be the man
who is too blind to see
15351535!
She, having ended this, her prayerful speech, gave purest
rubies to the ruby mine
15361536.
STORY.
She said, In Russia’s (broad) domains there was a town in
beauty like a (beauteous) bride.
A king in it, a fosterer of good, who had a daughter bred in
luxury.
A heart-beguiler, witching by her glance, of roseate cheeks,
and cypress-slender form.
Face lovelier than the moon in beauty bright, in sweetness
lips more sweet than sugar is.
All strength of heart she took from those who sued; sugar and
taper near her were put out
15371537.
Sugar, before her small and sugary mouth, in heart was more
contracted than her waist.
The musk afflicted at her curling locks
15381538; on thorns the
rose and basil at her face.
High-statured like the cypress in the grove; like lamp and taper
radiant of face.
The freshness of her face more fresh than Spring; than picture
lovelier her lovely tints.
The drowsy jonquil languorous for her; the grace of eglantine
her (humble) slave.
All men the dust beneath her servants’ feet; the rose prepared
to serve her slaves as slave.
Besides her beauty and her smiling grace, she had the ornament
of learning (too).
Knowledge of every order she had gained; and had perused
a leaf on every art;
Had read the world’s (famed) books on magic lore, on sorcery
and (other) secret things.
Over her face she’d drawn a veil of locks; and was averse to
(all) command to wed.
(For) she who in her time’s unmatched, unique, how can it
fit that she be mated, paired?
When that the rumour spread throughout the world that from
the heavens a ḥūrī had appeared,
And that the moon and sun had born a child, Venus had given
it milk through Mercury
15391539;
An eager longing for her rose in each; each one with deprecation
urged his suit.
One backed his claim with gold and one with strength; she
on the instant hid her gold from view.
The father from the suit of men so famed, to which he saw
that idol did not yield,
Was helpless, knowing not what means to adopt,—how,
with opponents hundred, “nard” to play
15401540.
The lovely girl to strict seclusion vowed, seeing the urgency
of those who sued,
Sought out a lofty mountain in those lands, far from (the
fear of) damage as the sky.
She had a castle built, so strong and fit that from the mount’s
pith a new mount seemed born.
She made excuses, asked her father’s leave to make her
preparations for the road.
(Her) loving father, though he was distressed at parting
(from her), gave her leave to go.
So that when far his honey from the hive, the bees might not
swarm in by roof and door;
Also, that with the treasure in a fort, the watchman might
not be disturbed by thieves.
(Then) that incastelled beauty, for (her) ease, saw to the proper
ordering of the fort.
When she had built a castle of such strength, she went and
treasure-like remained in it.
Her treasure (thus) secured, to her was given the name of
“Lady of the Castle-keep”.
Her castle thwarted treasure-pillagers, for, iron-built, ’twas
as the “Brazen Fort”
15411541.
She a Slavonian princess in that fort—of princesses naught
(like it) had been dreamt.
She’d closed the road to those who took the road; she’d foiled
the wish of those whose wish was law.
The accomplished princess was on every theme (most) fertile
in device and quick in thought.
She knew the constitutions of the stars, (their) temperaments
together she’d compared.
She’d fully mastered (all) the temperaments; she’d taken in
her hand the fragrant wine
15421542.
So that the treatment of all dry and moist, how water is made
hot and fire made cold,
How men behave towards their fellow-men, how to community
community,
All that may help and further culture (too), all that may add
adornment to mankind,—
(Of) all this she had gathered (knowledge true),—she, who in
form was woman, man in mind.
As she became content within those walls, she cast all thought
of mankind from her heart.
Upon the road to that high-towering fort she set with cunning
skill some talismans.
Each talisman a form of iron and stone; each bearing in its
hand a glittering (sword).
(So that) whoever reached that dangerous pass, by the swords’
strokes (at once) was cut in two.
Except the watchman of the fort, each one who went that
way was foiled and overthrown.
The watchman too, though an initiate, took not the road
except with reckoned steps.
For if he happened to take one wrong step, his head would
from his body severed fall.
A talisman would strike him with a sword; the moon, his
life, would hide behind a cloud.
The fortress-gate, which towered to the sky, was hidden like
the portal of the sky.
Though a surveyor searched it for a month, he’d find it no
more than the heavens’ gate.
That fairy-faced one, dweller in the fort, of China’s studios
15431543
was a painter skilled.
When she engaged in painting with the brush, she tied knots
on the water like a shell
15441544.
With the black paint, as ’tis with ḥūrīs’ locks, she painted
(darkest) shadow upon light
15451545.
When she was high-established in that house, (and) the house
shone by that high-’stablished Moon,
She took the brush, and on a piece of silk painted a full-length
portrait of herself.
And then above the silken portrait wrote in finest characters
(the ensuing words):
Whoever in the world may wish for me, with such a castle
as is my abode,
Let him, not speaking from afar, come in, moth-like no simple
gazer at the light.
A brave man may gain access to such fort; no coward can have
any business here.
Whoever wishes for the beauteous one, must have not only
one but thousand lives;
Must boldly set his mind upon the road, and four conditions
(strictly) must observe.
The first condition of this wedlock (then) is (that he have)
fair fame and beauty (too).
The second, that by knowledge he has gained, he loosen
on this road the talismans.
The third condition is that having loosed from their connections
all the talismans
15461546,
He show where is the portal of this fort, that he become
my mate by door, not roof.
If he the fourth condition would fulfil, (then) let him take
the pathway to the town,
That I may come unto my father’s court, and question him
upon some learned themes.
If he should answer me in fitting mode, (then) I will wed him
as good faith requires.
That honoured man shall be my husband (then), for that
which I have promised must be done.
And whosoe’er in these conditions fails, false to the terms,
his blood be on his head!
Who holds this admonition in esteem,—he has the alchemy
of happiness.
But he who cannot penetrate my words,—though he be great,
he shortly shall be small.
When she had done preparing (thus) her page, she gave it
to a fitting messenger.
She said, Arise, and take this page with you; (go) and take
off the cover from this plate
15471547.
Go to the city-gate, in some high place upon the toll-house
fasten this my note;
That anyone, of army or of town, whose wish may fall upon
so fair a one,
May take the road on the conditions named, and either be
the castellan or die.
The servant (then) departing with the note, followed an
intricate and winding road.
He fixed the beauty’s portrait on the gate, so that her lovers
(there) might look on it;
That whoso should desire her might arise, and (rashly) with
his own hand shed his blood.
When by each reigning prince and sovereign crowned was
gathered of this story some account,
Led by desire (inspired) by that wild news, people appeared
from all the parts around.
Each one (urged) by the fervour of his youth abandoned to
the winds his (precious) life.
Whoever for the sake of her set out incurred destruction
through the falchion’s strokes.
Not one who strove by judgment and by schemes could loose
those talismans, the castle’s guards.
And he who had some slight success in this,—even his spells
reached not the remedy.
Though sundry of the talismans he loosed, he had not any power
with the rest.
From want of proper judgment and of sense, disgraced, as
but a warning did he serve.
(Thus) many handsome youths were brought to death without
at all attaining to their wish.
No one had found deliverance from that road; no road was
there but that of loss of head.
Each head cut off of those exalted ones,—they hung it up
upon the city gate;
Till heads so many sternly were cut off, that in the city, eaves
on eaves were formed.
When round the world you look in every place, (you find)
the towns adorned by festive scenes;
That troubler of the ḥūrīs, fairy-faced, with heads, not festive
scenes, adorned the town.
Upon her head how many heads there were which had not
reached the shadow of her door!
Among the great in rank, the monarchs’ sons, there was a
handsome youth of noble mind.
Astute and powerful, beautiful and brave; the wolf and lion
victims of his sword.
One day he left the city for the chase, to gain such joy as
early spring invites.
On the town-gate he saw a honeyed page; around it hundred
thousand poison-flasks
15481548.
A portrait painted on a silken ground, one which should please
the eyes, beguile the heart.
A face which from its loveliness and grace, took in a moment
from him self-re straint.
He uttered fervent blessings on a reed from whose point came
such characters (as those).
Around the portrait, which adorned the world, (round), head
to foot, a hundred heads were hung.
He said, How from this shark-infested pearl can I escape?
No place as refuge serves.
If from this love-affair I hold my hand, (such) self-restraint
will bring on me distress.
And if my heart renounce not this desire, I lose my head,
my wish still unfulfilled.
Although a lovely form is on the silk, snakes in the rings are,
spines among the dates
15491549.
Forsooth, so many heads have been cut off; would that some
business too had been achieved!
Take it that I too lose my head,—what gain? A harmless being
killed and blood-defiled.
If from this cord I do not hold my hand, my head must be
(and will be) bound by it.
Though I be bold enough to encounter death, how can I ever
bid adieu to life?
Again he said, This silk is fairies’ work, painted in order
suitors to attract.
Before the spells of fairy such as this one must not go without
some magic power.
Until by magic I annul her spells, I should not take up lightly
this affair.
I must procure a means from small and great that from the
wolf’s jaws may escape my sheep.
He who would grasp a business (hastily),—the order of his
business gets confused.
(But) in (your) action dwell not on the small
15501550, in order
that great loss be not incurred.
Perform this mode of music with the world
15511551: take
slowly, give out forcibly and quick
15521552.
My heart is more unbalanced than my mind; my liver much
more blighted than my heart
15531553.
How (then) with such a heart can I be gay? What can I
bring to thought from such a mind?
He spoke these words and for a time was sad, and from his
bosom heaved a bitter sigh.
He shed tears as he gazed; he saw cloth, sword, and on the
basin
15541554 saw, as ’twere, his head.
This love, as ’twas, he hid (within his heart), the thought and
care he had he told to none.
(Thus) he was night and day with anguished heart; nor night
was night to him, nor day was day.
With utter longing he at every dawn would wend his way
unto the city-gate;
Would see that wondrous portrait (on the gate): tomb of
Farhād, and palace of Shīrīn
15551555.
Though for the lock a hundred thousand keys he sought, he
(still) could not find any clue.
He saw a thread with thousand thousand ends, but the right
end, the clue, remained unknown.
Then he discarded pride from the affair, and turned himself
to search and scrutiny.
He sought in every land expedients by means of which the
tight knot might be loosed.
Although he sped about on every side, he could not loose it
from its tangled state,
Until (at last) he heard news of a sage, a demon-binder of
angelic kind.
One who could bridle every untamed horse; who to all learning
had attained in full.
Subservient to him every fellow-sage; opened by him all doors
just claim might close
15561556.
When of that learned man
15571557 the noble youth heard news
from men experienced and wise,
To that Sīmurgh
15581558 of sun-like majesty he sped like bird
which flies from mount to mount.
He found him like a garden in full bloom
15591559. Where?
In a cave most desolate and drear.
He touched his saddle-straps as lily might
15601560; he girt
himself for service like the rose
15611561.
Through his good fortune and most happy state (much)
knowledge did he gather from that Khiẓr
15621562.
When from that spring he’d drunk full many a draught, he
spoke a word upon his fixed resolve,
And of the fay-like girl, the lofty fort, the people’s fate caused
by her sorcery.
The talismans she’d set upon her road; her casting down before
her thousand heads—
All he related there before the sage; in naught did he the
matter hide (from him).
The sage informed him then of what was fit, in secret calculations
for the affair.
(The prince thus) found the remedy he sought, then full of
anxious care retraced his steps.
In a few days regaining steadiness, he set himself to think
about the affair.
He gathered every needful instrument fit for the business in
that narrow pass.
He sought a spiritual relationship
15631563 which should relieve
in this his hard emprise.
According as his estimate came out he formed his plan for
every talisman.
And first, to further his pursuit he sought favour from those
of spiritual power.
He dressed in red, for blood’s involved, said he; this plaint
is from the sky’s oppressive act.
Since he was soon to enter seas of blood, he made his garments,
as his eyes, blood-stained.
All care for his own safety he resigned.—(Then) cries of
disapproval rose from all.
He said, I take not for myself this pain; nay, rather, I avenge
unnumbered heads.
Either I’ll loose this yoke from people’s necks, or sacrifice
my life (in the attempt).
When for this work he’d dipped his clothes in blood, he took
his sword, and pitched his tent without.
All who became acquainted with the affair,—that one of lion
heart had come to avenge,—
Sent fervent aspirations forth with him, that he should soon
succeed in that emprise.
Their aspirations and his pure, calm mind, were as steel armour
to encase his frame.
Then afterwards, with plea to be excused, he asked the king’s
permission to depart.
Then set out on the road towards the fort, keeping in mind the
plans for his affair.
When he arrived quite near a talisman, he made a stroke
and (then) a gap appeared.
And by the magic of that charm sublime the talisman’s
connection he dissolved.
Each talisman he saw upon the road,—he cast it headlong
down into the pit.
When he had (thus) removed them from the mount, he put
their swords upon the mountain-peak.
Then he went quickly to the castle wall, and beat a drum
(there) with a leathern strap.
He studied eagerly the sound (it made), having (in this) prepared
a keen device.
(For) since to crevices the sound was clue, the door by means
of crevices was found
15641564.
When she became aware of these events, the moon-faced
beauty sent someone to say:
You who make breaches and who open roads
15651565, you
whom good fortune guides to his desire,
Since you have loosened first the talismans, and (then) correctly
found the treasure-door,
Turn to the city (now) like running stream, and two days
wait with patience if you can,
Till to the city to my sire I come, and (there) subject you to a
searching test.
About four secret things I’ll question you; give answer to
these questions if you can.
My love will (then) be yours, no plea will be admissible against
relationship.
When the man saw that he had found success, he turned back
and went forward on the road.
From the high fort when to the town he came, he took the
silken portrait off the gate.
He folded it and gave it to a slave;—blessings and praise
gained life, and trouble died.
Then all the heads upon the city-gate indignantly he took
down from their cords.
The people of the town applauded him, and with the slain
men’s bodies buried them.
Followed by thousand blessings he went home, (while) minstrels
raised their voices high in song.
The townsmen in his honour scattered coins; (from) all the
roofs and doors they scattered them.
All of them swore an oath that should the king consent not
to the union (of the twain),
They would at once bring down the king; and make that (prince)
their ruler and their sovereign.
For one was cruel and cut off their heads; the other, brave
and kindly, saved their heads.
And on her side the lovely princess (too) joyed in the suit
of (her prospective) mate.
(And) soon as night, from pods of blackest musk, rubbed
perfume on the litter of the moon
15661566,
She, sitting in her litter gay in heart,—the wind the driver
of her cavalcade
15671567,—
From mountain pass unto the palace came; which gained
the mountain’s majesty from her.
(Her) father seeing her grew bright and gay; nor did she hide
from him the state of things.
All that had happened to her, good and bad,—she told him all
her story (end to end):
About those cavaliers through her cast down; who dug a
pit, fell into it themselves.
Until (the story) came to where the prince had of a sudden
lost his heart to her.
How to the mount he came, and firmness showed; how he
broke, one by one, the talismans.
How he became successful with the fort
15681568, (and) failed
not in the stipulations made.
Having fulfilled of four conditions three, let us now see how
’twill be with the fourth.
The king enquired of her, What is the fourth? That of the
fair should one, not twenty be.
The honey-lipped one said, With fortune’s lead, I mean to set
four problems hard to solve.
(And) if by him my problems should be solved, the crown will
(then) be placed upon his head.
But if he should break down upon this road, (then) he will
pitch his tent where he (well) knows.
’Twere fitting that to-morrow at the dawn, the king should
take his place upon the throne;
Should then invite (the prince) to be his guest; whilst I behind
the curtain should be hid.
Then I some mystic questions would prepare, for him to answer
with maturest thought.
The king said, we will do so, it is well; whate’er is done by
you by me is done.
To these their words they added not a word, but sought their
rooms and (then) retired to rest.
Next morn at dawn when that the azure sphere over the rocks
the ruby’s lustre shed
15691569;
When in these seven “nard”-boards of six squares, a wheat-ear
sown came up a single grain
15701570,
Like the Great Kings
15711571, the king arranged a Court,
and girded tight his waist in servitude
15721572.
He gathered an assembly of the famed, of those (esteemed
for) piety and truth.
(Then) when the royal guard was formed in ranks, he made
his Court a hospitable hall.
The prince he (then) invited as his guest, and scattered precious
pearls upon his head
15731573.
Then golden trays were set down in the hall; the hall in straits
through store of food profuse
15741574.
Since all one wished was on the tray, it was, rather than tray,
supplier of desires.
The foods which were to right and left of them,—each person
ate of that which he desired.
The food partaken of in measure due, and nature (thus) refreshed
with nutriment,
The king ordained that in a private hall they should assay
the gold refined by fire
15751575.
When he went in he gave up his own seat, and made his guest
be seated in his place.
He sat before his daughter (then) to see what further play
she’d with her suitor make.
She who might teach Ṭarāzian puppets play
15761576, behind
the curtain gave a puppet-show.
She took off from her ears two cryptic pearls, and gave them
to a treasurer and said,
Convey these to our guest without delay, and when they’ve
been conveyed, (his) answer bring.
The messenger at once went to the guest, and that which she
had brought she showed to him.
When the man (carefully) had weighed the pearls, the secret
of them found place in his mind.
Three other (pearls) he added to those (two), pearls which were
worthy (to consort with) them.
(Then) he consigned them to the messenger, and sent her back
to that exalted (dame).
When she whose heart was stone saw those fine pearls, she took
a stone up (then) and weighed the pearls
15771577.
On seeing that their weight was quite correct, with the same
stone she pounded them to dust;
A little sugar added to the (pearls), (so that) the pearls and
sugar were commixed.
The envoy took them and rejoined the guest; the guest again
divined the subtlety.
He asked the servant for a glass of milk; he poured both into
it and said, (here), take.
The servant to her lady (then) returned, and near her placed
the present she had brought.
The lady took the milk and drank it up, and made a paste
then of the residue.
She weighed it with the weights in use before; the weight was
not diminished by a hair.
(Then) from her hand at once she took a ring, and gave it for
the trusty girl to take.
The wise man took it from the servant’s hand, then on his
finger placed it with respect.
He gave a world-illuming pearl most rare, for night a lamp,
in brightness like the day.
The girl of ḥūrī race (then) speeded back, and gave to rarest
ruby
15781578 rarest pearl.
The lady put the pearl upon her hand, and from her necklace
took apart the pearls,
Until she found a pearl a mate for his, for night a lamp, of
the same kind as his.
She threaded them together on one string, this one and that
as one, exactly like.
The servant went, gave pearls unto the sea,—rather she gave
the pleiads to the sun
15791579.
When the wise man had seen them, in those two united he
could find no difference.
’Twixt those bright pearls no difference there was in light
and sheen—none save duality.
He asked the servants for a blue glass-bead, for to those two
no (pearl) could be a third.
He placed the little bead among the pearls; he gave, that she
who brought might take them back.
The lady, seeing bead and pearls conjoined, propitious, sealed
her lips and sweetly smiled.
She, comprehending, took the pearls and bead, fixed bead on
wrist, and in her ears the pearls;
(Then) to her sire said, Rise, arrange the affair, for I have
played with fortune now enough.
Behold, (now), how my fortune favours me, when I (can)
choose a lover such as this.
(Now) have I found a match in one whose match no other
person is in his own land.
I who have wisdom and approve the wise, in wisdom am
inferior to him.
Her father, when he heard these pleasant words, said to the
fay, O you of angel kind,
The converse which I’ve witnessed (at this time),—its face
behind a veil has been concealed.
All that in secret converse has occurred, you must successively
narrate to me.
She, nurtured in a thousand hopes
15801580, (then) raised the
cryptic curtain of the mystery.
She said, When first I set my wits to work, the two pearls
I unloosened from my ears.
Under the symbol of those lustrous pearls I said, Life’s but
two days, these wisely use.
He, who three others added to the two, said, Though ’twere
five ’twould also quickly pass.
(Then) I, who added sugar to (the five), and ground in one
the sugar and the pearls,
Meant that this life, polluted by desire, is like the pearls and
sugar ground in one.
By incantation and by alchemy, who can each from the other
set apart?
He, who poured milk upon the (mixture then), so that one
melted and the other stayed,
Meant that the sugar mixed up with the pearls would (from
them) with a drop of milk divide
15811581.
I, who drank up the sugar from his cup, was but a suckling
(when) compared with him.
My sending (him) a ring (was meant to show) that in his
wedding me I acquiesced.
The pearl bestowed by him occultly showed that, like the
pearl, his match could not be found.
I from my necklace added (then) a pearl to point out that I
was myself his match.
Examining, he saw not in the world a third one that resembled
those two pearls.
(Thereafter) he obtained a blue glass-bead; and added it
against the evil eye
15821582.
I, who disposed the bead upon myself, thus showed myself
devoted to his will.
His (blue glass) bead, as seal upon my heart, is on my treasury
the treasure-seal.
For (solving thus) the five close mysteries I honour and acknowledge
him as king.
When the king (thus) beheld the wild colt tamed; the whip
no longer in a state undressed,
In method excellent he set himself all (rites) prescribed by
wedlock to perform;
Saw to the sweetmeats of her marriage-feast
15831583; and
portioned Venus, to Canopus
15841584 (wed).
He made a banquet like the field of heaven; perfumed the
hall with aloes-wood and musk.
He had all done to adorn the marriage-feast; with rose he
seated cypress
15851585, and went forth.
He joined together two of joyous heart, and then departed,
(leaving them alone).
When the prince saw his captivating bride, saw that a heavenly
ḥūrī was his mate,
Sometimes he kissed her cheek, at times her lips; at times
pomegranates tasted, sometimes dates
15861586.
Postremo adamas margaritas superavit; falco avis phasianæ
pectori superincubuit.
He saw his blue glass-bead upon her wrist, (and) love for him
in her two languorous eyes
Ejus margaritas cum sigillo non reliquit; margaritarum
sigillum thesauro detraxit.
He lived with her, enjoying his desires. He dressed in red, a
symbol of her cheeks.
For he had taken on that previous day redness of clothes as
omen of success.
Since by that red he had escaped from black
15871587, he ever
with red gems adorned himself.
Since (then) in red his fortune had been cast
15881588, the name
was giv’n to him of “King in Red”.
Red’s an adornment which delights (the eyes); the value of
red gems is (due to) this.
Gold, which the name, red sulphur, has received, has its best
title in the title, “red”.
The vital spirit is diffused in blood, and this is with the grace
of life bright red
15891589.
Those persons in whom beauty may be found,—the source
of this, their beauty, is of red.
When this delightful story reached its end, (and) roses red
had filled the air with scent
15901590,
By reason of the roses strewed about Bahrām’s face brightened
red like fragrant wine.
Extending then his hand to the red rose, he took her to his
arms, in comfort slept.
Bahrām sits on Wednesday in the Blue Dome, and the daughter
of the king of the Fifth Clime tells him a story.
On Wednesday, from the blossom of the sun when turquoise-hued
the blackness of the sphere,
The king, (sun-like) in world-illuming power, in triumph
sphere-like, dressed in turquoise-blue.
He went for pleasure to the Turquoise Dome; the day was
short, the theme in view was long.
When evening’s locks put on a musky veil
15911591, the watching
of officials he escaped.
He asked the fair narrator of romance to do, as such, the office
due from her.
To tell, accordant with his gallantry, a tale to soothe and gratify
his heart.
A rosebud opening
15921592, the cypress tall joined to the rose’s
petals sweet pastilles
15931593.
She said, To your command the sky submits; you whom
auspicious planets praise and bless.
I and a thousand slaves above me far are honoured by submissive
lowliness.
It would be ill before a honey-spring to open shop to deal in
vinegar
15941594.
Since (too) the king’s command must be obeyed, I will narrate
if he will bear the pain
15951595.
STORY.
There was a man in Egypt named Māhān, more handsome
than the moon when at the full.
In beauty like Egyptian Joseph he, his graces
15961596 thousand
ravishers (of hearts).
A number of companions of his age were (always) charmed,
each one, to (see) his face.
Would sundry days beneath the azure sphere devote their
hearts to music and to song.
Each one for that felicitous bright lamp
15971597 prepared a
feast in garden and in house.
One day there came a worthy man of rank, who led him to
a garden as his guest.
A garden sweet and pleasant (to the view),—the friends a
hundred times more pleasant (still).
Till night they gave themselves to pleasure (there), they
never tired of eating of the fruits.
Each moment something (new) to nurture joy; each instant
food (too) of another kind.
When night a musky
15981598 standard raised aloft, and pitch
athwart the silver drew a pen
15991599,
Sweet pleasure in the garden they enjoyed; wine in their hands
and in their converse song.
They pledged to that (fair) garden heart (and soul), renewing
joy and pleasure (constantly).
The moon shone bright and lighted up the sky, a night
like day in brightness ’twas in truth.
When Māhān’s brain was heated with the wine, he saw the
shining of the moon, and swift.
Went round the garden like a drunken man, till from the garden
a palm-grove he reached.
Afar he saw a man, who (then) approached, and told him
he was one who knew him well.
(He saw) on recognition ’twas a friend, (he saw) it was a
partner in his trade.
He said (to him), Why come you at this time? you (who are)
not companion, servant, slave.
To-night, said he, I have arrived from far; my heart impatient
of not seeing you.
Inestimable profit have I brought; reason for thanks there is
for such a gain.
When I approached the town it was too late, the gate was closed,
I could not reach the house.
So to the caravansera without I took the sealed up load of
merchandise.
On hearing you were on a visit (here), I came, (but) it is easy
to return.
(Still) it is best that you come to the town: the welfare of the
village is its chief
16001600.
On a dark night ’tis also possible that from taxation we
secure our goods.
Māhān, heart-gladdened at (the thought of) wealth, set out
to follow in his partner’s steps.
The garden-gate they opened covertly, (but) since no person
saw them naught was said.
Both, in their running, rushed on like the wind, till watches
one or two of night had passed.
The road-devouring partner ran in front, (Māhān) ran after
him like flying dust.
When they had passed by where the house should be—the
arrow, thought, had overshot the mark
16011601—
Māhān said, From the Nile to my abode the distance of the
way is but a mile
16021602.
(But) we have traversed leagues exceeding four, beyond the
limits of the circle gone.
Again he said, But I perchance am drunk, erroneous pictures
on my eyes I’ve drawn.
He who is acting as my friendly guide knows (well) the road
and is intelligent.
So in their heat and hurry on they went, slower the one behind,
the leader swift.
Though from fatigue the former lagged behind, the leader,
calling to the laggard, ran.
(Still) in their flight the two (men) slackened not, until the
(morning) bird began to crow.
The partner vanished (then) from Māhān’s sight; Māhān was
(almost) crazy left astray.
The bird of early morning
16031603 spread its wings, the brain
of night from fantasies was free.
Then the man’s eyes by fantasy enchained, escaped from the
deceit of fancy’s play.
Fatigue and drunkenness disturbed his brain; fatigued and
drunk, he lay down on the spot.
He shed tears like a candle half burnt out, he lay till midday
sleeping (on the ground).
When from the hotness of the sun his head grew hotter than
the fire within his heart,
He opened eyes to gaze upon the road, he gave a glance around
on every side.
Rose-garden sought he, but he saw no rose, saw nothing but
a trouble-branded heart.
Cave upon cave he saw as his abode, than dragon larger was
the snake in each.
Although no strength was (left him) in his legs, his will
acceded to the thought of flight.
He ran along with no strength in his legs; he travelled on with
no one (there) to guide.
Till night, that monarch, set his tripod down
16041604, his heart
(e’en) of his shadow was in fear.
When night had drawn designs of blackest work, whilst from
white work the world entire was freed,
Insensible he fell at a cave’s mouth,—each blade of grass a
serpent to his eyes.
He in that demons’ tract bereft of sense, when human voices
fell upon his ear.
Opening his eyes he saw two persons (near), a woman one,
the other one a man.
Each had a bundle fastened on their backs, slowly they walked
by reason of the weight.
The man, who saw (Māhān) upon his way, there left the
woman, and himself came close.
He shouted at him, Say, what man are you? With whom and
what are you most near allied?
He said, A stranger I, in evil plight, my name Māhān, a man of
intellect.
Said he, How happened you to reach this place, for this drear
waste is void of husbandry?
This land and region are the abode of dīvs, the lion clamours
from the dread of them.
He answered, You are welcome, worthy man; show such
humanity as one should show.
Of my own will indeed I have not come,—of demons speak
not, I am human-born.
Last night I was in luxury, at ease, in Iram’s (heavenly) gardens
16051605
as a guest.
(Then) came a man who said, I am your friend; I am a partner
in your land and coin.
He cast me from that heaven upon this waste, and when the
sun rose vanished from my sight.
That friend devoid of friendship was himself deceived, or else
deceitful (in his lead).
Do me a kindness for the sake of God, point out to me the road
which I have lost.
The man said, Handsome youth, you have escaped by a hair’s
breadth (and) by a single hair.
He was a demon whom you call a man, his name (is) Hā’il
of the wilderness.
He who appeared a partner in your wealth,—his aim was the
destruction of your life.
Many a one like you has he misled, and each of them has died
in a ravine.
I and this woman are your friends and mates; we both will
be your guardians on this night.
Be stout of heart and walk between us two; go with us foot
for foot and step for step.
Māhān proceeded (then) between those guides, and traversed
mile by mile the road (with them).
Till early dawn they uttered not a word, save after one
another took no step.
When the cock’s crow beat the tattoo
16061606 (at dawn), and
dawn tied on the camel a gold drum
16071607,
Those two became a lock without a key
16081608; they vanished
both (at once) from (Māhān’s) sight.
Again Māhān fell down (upon the ground), sat where he was,
dejected and fatigued.
When day diffused its light (throughout the earth), and earth
inclined to shed the blood of night
16091609,
All through a narrow gorge Māhān went on, mount upon
mount he saw, a narrow pass.
His strength departed, for there was no food,—no food there
was except regret and pain.
(So) he made search for roots and seeds of herbs, and ate them
few by few in place of bread.
He could not think of staying from the road; his travel he
pursued and went along.
(Then) crept into a cave and slept awhile, concealed his face
from those who were concealed.
That day he went till night from mount to mount, impatient
of (his) life and of the world.
When the white world took on (the shade of) black, the traveller
gave up his travelling.
He heard (then) suddenly a horse’s hoofs; went to the road
and saw a rider (there):
The rider urging to full speed his horse, holding in hand another
rapid steed.
When he came close to Māhān he beheld a figure lurking in
amongst the rocks.
His horse, which he was riding with such speed, he reined in
for a moment from (its) course.
He said, O wanderer of skulking mien, who are you, and what
place for you is this?
If you apprise me of the secret, (well)!—if not, I will at once
strike off your head.
Māhān through terror at the rider shook; perspired in drops
like seed by farmers strewn
16101610.
He said, O graceful rider, traveller, hear, end to end, the
adventures of your slave.
All that he knew, occult, or manifest,—all to the rider he at
once disclosed.
When from Māhān the rider heard the tale, in wonder he was
lost and showed regret.
Repeating often to himself “Lā ḥaul”
16111611, (he said),
You’re saved from horror and from death.
Female and male two crafty “ghūls” were those
16121612,
who lead (all) men (they come across) astray;
They cast them into pits, and shed their blood; when the
cock’s crow is (heard) they flee away.
Hailā the female’s called, Ghailā the male; their business
to (bring) trouble and do ill.
Give thanks you have escaped the death (they give); come,
brisk, and speed if you have any worth!
Mount the led horse and take the reins (in hand), and keep
your tongue from speech of every kind.
Urge on the rapid courser on my road, and (fail not) in your
heart (to) call on God.
Worn out, afflicted by the vales and caves, he mounted,
(as enjoined), the swift-paced steed.
From a low mountain-tract there came to view a level waste,—
of what kind?—like one’s palm.
He rode his steed so (swiftly) in his wake that (soon) the wind,
(outstripped), was left behind.
When they had gone some portion of the way, and passed
beyond the middle of the hills,
From all sides came the sound of the guitar, the plaint of lute,
the dulcet tones of song.
On that side rose the cry, come hither, come! on this, the cry,
May the cup give you life!
On all the plain, instead of verdure, flowers, innumerable
“ghūls” and ceaseless noise.
Mountain and plain were worn out by the dīvs: the mountain
took the plain, the plain the mount
16131613.
Innumerable demons seated there, exchanging shouts through
valley and through plain.
All of them, like the wind, were scattering dust; rather, they
were like leeches black and long.
Till it got so, that from the left and right the mirthful clamour
rose up to the sky.
A tumult rose from clapping and the dance; it made the brain
ferment in (every) head.
At every instant did the noise increase, moment by moment
greater it became.
When a short time had gone by, from afar a thousand torches
(all) aflame appeared;
(And) suddenly some persons came to view, forms cast in tall
and formidable mould.
All of them “ghūls” like blackest Ethiops; pitchlike the dress
of all, like tar their caps.
All with the trunks of elephants and horned, combining ox
and elephant in one.
Each of them bearing fire upon his hand, (each) ugly, evil
one like drunken fiend.
Fire (also) from their throats was casting flames; reciting
verse, they clashed the horn and blade
16141614.
By playing tambourines with tinkling bells they set the whole
world dancing (to the rhythm).
And through the plectrums which those Ethiops used the horse
which Māhān rode began to dance.
(Then) at his courser Māhān cast a glance, to see why from his
legs his head bulged out.
A sore disaster under him he saw: upon a dragon found
himself astride.
A four-legged dragon with two wings (it was), and, stranger
still, it had (too) seven heads.
(A four-legged beast with four wings who has seen? I err,
a seven-headed dragon, sure)
16151615.
The sky which is around us as a belt,—why strange? A
seven-headed dragon ’tis
16161616.
On that destructive-looking dragon he, with legs drawn to
his armpits on its neck;
Whilst that tyrannic demon, frolicsome, engaged in some
new frolic ceaselessly.
It went on dancing with a thousand twists, coiling and writhing
more than twisted rope.
Him,—like the straws and leaves, erstwhile at rest, which
torrents drive along down hill and wild,—
It cast from side to side and bore away; it bruised and crushed
(all over) utterly.
(As if) in drunken sport it made him run; it cast him on the
hills and on the plains.
Sometimes it tossed him like a ball away; sometimes it put
its foot upon his neck.
It played a thousand kind of tricks on him, until the cock’s
crow and the time of dawn.
(Then) when the dawn breathed from the lion’s mouth
16171617,
it cast him quickly from (its) neck away.
The noise and clamour (all) had left the world; (all) the black
cauldrons (then) had ceased to boil
16181618.
When from the dīv the man who rode it fell
16191619, he lost all
power like those who see a dīv
16201620.
Beside himself upon that road he lay, like one asleep, or, rather,
one who’s dead.
Until his head was heated with the sun, his consciousness of
self and world was gone.
With brain excited by the heat his sense which had departed
came to him again.
Rubbing his eyes he rose up from the ground; awhile he looked
intently left and right.
He saw himself in that drear wilderness, which from (its)
length (appeared) to have no end.
It was as red as blood, as hot as hell, the coloured sand in
endless carpets spread.—
When they would draw the sword upon a head, they spread
a cloth and scatter sand about
16211621.
That desert took the field on blood intent, (and) hence it
scattered sand and spread a cloth
16221622.—
The man, (so) troubled on the night before, when he had gathered
strength in mind and frame,
Away from those wild beasts’ abode a road found out for
flight, a gain to the distressed
16231623.
He took the road, (and) speeded like the wind, in terror at
that poisoned atmosphere.
It got so, that an arrow in its flight could not keep pace with
him however swift.
As soon as evening darkened into night, he’d traversed all
the desert end to end.
He said, ’Tis best that I should rest at night, for through
the night my mind becomes disturbed.
I (now) indeed in atrabilious mood, an air (so) dry, a road of
solitude,—
How should oppressive fancies not prevail? my mind’s (already)
crushed with fancy’s play.
When he saw verdant ground and flowing stream, his old heart
like (his) fortune became young.
He drank some water of the stream, and bathed, (and then)
he sought a place wherein to sleep.
To-night I rest, (said he), my comrade sleep, that I may
see not fancies of night’s play.
Then out of all the sheltered spots around he sought one
where he might in safety rest.
Until he came upon a hollow place, in which he saw a deep
shaft had been sunk.
A pit with thousand steps (down to its depths), into which
naught save shadow found descent.
Like Joseph he went down into the pit; his legs (then) slackened
like the rope (disused).
When he awakened from a pleasant sleep, and had arranged
the pillows of his room
16241624,
He looked on his surroundings in the pit; he drew a picture
upon blackest silk
16251625.
A white light (then), in size a “diram”
16261626, saw, like
jasmine on the black of willow’s shade.
He looked around the light to right and left, that (he might
find) from where it had (its) rise.
He saw a breach through which the lofty sphere let the moon’s
rays gain entrance (to the pit).
When he discovered that the spring of light shone from the
moon—the moon so far away—
He put his hands and nails into the hole, and widened out its
narrowness by force.
Till so it got, that he could put his head, from crown to neck,
entirely through (the hole).
He put it through, saw gardens and parterres: he saw a lovely
and resplendent place.
The breach he dug at, till by toil and skill, he managed to
get all his body through.
He saw a garden,—nay, a paradise, finer than Iram in its
form and make
16271627.
Like hundred painted idols, too, its park, where countless
cypresses and box-trees grew.
Its fruit-trees, for their happy increase there, bowed to the
ground in adoration bent.
Beyond all measure were the fruits in it; renewed by them
was life, they fresh as life.
Apples, like ruby garments of the wine; like caskets of cornelians,
pomegranates.
Quinces like balls stuffed full of (fragrant) musk; pistachios
smiling more than thirsty wights
16281628.
The colours of the peach from twig and branch made the red
ruby and the topaz cheap.
Its nuts conjoined with “ḥalvā” were distressed
16291629;
and kisses used its dates (to make them sweet)
16301630.
Its honeyed guavas
16311631 wreathed in honeyed smiles;
its clustered jujubes fashioners of gems
16321632.
The honey of its figs, its almond-nuts, were to its bowl as
16331633
cups of pālūdah
16341634.
Its grape-vines (with their) hats set (all) awry saw under their
control both white and black
16351635:
The rāziqī, mulāḥī, jazarī, the būdarī, gulābī, shakarī
16361636.
A garden, a magician in the spells of (its) abundant buds of
varied hue.
The branches and fresh leaves of orange-trees had planted a
plantation in the grove.
The juice of grape and pomegranate fire-hued bore witness
of blood-shedding for the grape
16371637.
When such a paradise Māhān had found, he turned his heart
from last night’s hell-abode.
Pomegranates, jujubes, apples, fruit on fruit,—like sappan
red, like pure white sugar too
16381638.
From the delight such honeyed draughts conferred, the smacking
of his lips came to (his) ears.
He ate the fruits in honeyed sweetness rich; he ate of those
provisions choice as gold.
Whilst he remained in wonder at the fruits,—eating of some,
and casting some away,—
On one side suddenly a cry arose, Seize, hold the robber, to
the left or right!
With rage and rancour chafing, an old man, bearing a staff
upon his shoulder, came.
He said (to him), Who are you, fruit-thief fiend? Why to
the garden have you come by night?
I have been in this garden many years, untroubled by the night-attack
of thieves.
What person are you; of what lineage known? who are you,
what are you, what are you called?
When the old man used such words to Māhān, the poor man
(nearly) perished at the words.
He said, I am a stranger, and have strayed far from my home
into an unknown place.
Put up with strangers who have suffered pain, that heaven
may call you cherisher of such.
When the old man heard his apologies, he felt disposed to treat
him graciously.
He threw the stick down from (his) hand at once; he put him
at (his) ease, and sat down near.
He said, Pray tell me your adventures (now): what you have
seen, what has occurred to you.
What wrongs from foolish people you’ve endured, what evil,
wicked men have done to you.
When from the ancient man Māhān received soft words of
kindness and of sympathy,
With his adventures he acquainted him: with what he’d seen
and that which had occurred.
His falling out of comfort into pain, each night his heart
subjected to some grief.
And (then) of his despair at what might come, as sometimes
he was troubled, sometimes joyed.
Until the pit and that auspicious lamp
16391639, which led him
to the garden from its gloom.
In detail he narrated (all) the tale: the hidden matter he
disclosed to him.
Hearing his words the ancient man was dazed at (all) the
wondrous trials he had borne.
He said, Thanksgiving now is strictly due, that (so) you have
been saved from pain and fear.
For all the old man’s kindness and support Māhān felt gratitude
within (his heart).
Then he enquired (and said), That vile abode, what region is it,
in what land its seat?
Last night the Resurrection it appeared, with (all) its infidels
intent on me.
Demons I saw, and to myself was lost; such is the state of
him who demons sees
16401640.
A fire raised smoke, (diffused it) through my brain; that evil
all seemed from a single spark
16411641.
Against me came a thousand, demon-faced, in each were
countless demons and wild beasts
16421642.
One dragged me, this one threw me, that one struck; demons,
wild beasts, and both as bad could be.
Darkness has in the light an antidote: in blackness (also)
whiteness may be seen;
But I saw black on black so much that I grew frightened of
the pupils of my eyes.
I was bewildered, (knew not) what to do, quite innocent,
yet weeping with distress.
Sometimes my eyes would lead me to complain, sometimes
I stroked my eyes (to wipe the tears)
16431643.
(Then) I went forth and hastened on the way,—this with
“Lā ḥaul”
16441644, and that with “Bismillāh”
16451645.
Until (at last) God saved me from my woes, and changed my
darkness to the Stream of Life
16461646.
I found a garden sweeter than Iram
16471647; a gard’ner still
more charming than the same.
My terror of last night has left me now; to-night my wish
tends towards security.
The old man said, O you who’ve care escaped, and paradise’s
sanctuary reached,
That (dreary) desert which surrounds these tracts, fearful
and sterile, is the abode of fiends.
From those base-natured beings you are saved, and such a
treasure-house you (now) have reached.
Those Ethiop-like dwellers in the waste are fiends who ape
men’s form, and men devour.
They first of all deceive men (by their wiles), then (with)
no stinted torture torture them.
Of truth they make professions, but play false; they take
men’s hands, (then) cast them into pits.
Their love is (but) a prelude
16481648 to (their) hate; such
(always) is the habit of the fiend.
He who (by nature) to deceit is given is even of the demons
of those depths.
And such-like fiends are many in the world, who laugh at
fools whilst they are fools themselves
16491649.
Sometimes they hide a lie beneath the truth; sometimes find
poison in an antidote
16501650.
No lying fancy can be long sustained; truth is a warrant of
eternity
16511651:
Duration is an index (sure) of truth; from truth is found a
wonder-working spell.
Your nature’s radically void of guile, that all these fancies
came into your head
16521652.
Such tricks as these by wicked beings played, they show not
save to simple-minded men.
(’Twas) terror made a fierce attack on you, and gave the play
of fancy to your mind.
All this oppression practised upon you came from alarm at
straying from the road.
If your heart then had kept its normal state, your mind would
not have harboured fantasies.
(But) since you’ve saved your life from that “ghūls’” haunt
16531653,
drink of the clear and pure;—no more of dregs!
Think that your mother bore you but last night; that God
just now has given you to me
16541654.
This precious garden, emerald in hue, which by my heart’s
blood has been brought to hand,
Is my possession incontestably; no flower but makes avowal
(of the fact).
Fruits nurtured by affection here there are; from different
gardens all the trees were brought.
The income of it, even at its worst,—with it a city would be
rich and great.
Besides (all) this I have a thousand stores; (pure) gold in
stacks, and jewels in ass-loads.
All this I have, but still no child, no son, on whom to fix
the affection of my heart.
When I saw you, by reason of your worth, I fixed my heart
on you to be my son.
If this should please you, you to whom I’m slave, all this
(at once) I will devote to you;
That you in this fresh garden may rejoice, enjoy (its) blessings,
wander (at your will).
I will demand for you, as you may wish, a youthful bride,
a ravisher of hearts.
On you I’ll fix my heart and be well pleased; in all you wish
I’ll be subservient.
If kindly to this offer you respond, as pledge to this convention
give your hand.
Māhān replied, How can such words be used? The bramble
worthy of the cypress-tree!
(But) since you (deign to) accept me as your son, in this
authority I am (your) slave
16551655.
May you be joyous, for you’ve given me joy, O you through
whom my house is flourishing.
He kissed (the old man’s) hand, rejoiced by him, and upon that
he gave his hand to him.
The old man took his hand (then) in his own, engaged himself
by oath, a compact made.
He said (to him), Arise! His guest arose. He took him from the
left hand towards the right.
He pointed out a lofty edifice, (where) carpets of rich painted
silk were spread.
A hall (there was which) towered to the sky; its arch arising
up to Saturn’s (sphere).
Its walls and court were all of purest gold, and like the full
moon in (their) radiance.
He saw some rooms (in it) of varied hue of many branches,
cypress, poplar, formed.
Curtains were fixed up by the door-jambs (there), the waists
of which the (lofty) heavens kissed.
Before that hall for a king’s palace fit, there grew a sandal-tree
(both) tall and broad.
It threw out from its many branches gems, which blushing
hung their heads down towards the earth
16561656.
On it was fixed a strong well-fitting seat,—a couch made out
of strong and solid boards.
Cushions and mats were laid upon the couch, pleasant and
soft like branches of a tree.
The old man said to him, Climb up the tree. If need you have
of water and of food,
A wallet and a bottle hang (from it), full of blue water this,
of white bread that.
I go, in order to prepare for you in full abundance all your heart
may wish.
Until I come be patient in (your) place; descend not from
your sleeping-place at all.
Whoever questions you, lend not your ear; keep silence, and
no word in answer speak.
By no one’s courtesy be you beguiled, to anyone’s attention
give no heed.
If I should come, for some assurance ask, and then admit
me to your safe retreat.
Since in all earnestness between us two a close and lively
friendship has been fixed,
The garden is your own, the house your house, my resting
place is resting place of yours.
(But) you must fear the evil eye to-night, and then all other
nights you’ll be at ease.
He gave him these injunctions one by one, and swore him
also to (observe) the same.
There was a leather scaling-ladder there for (the ascent to)
that auspicious couch.
(The old man) said, Come, grasp the leather, mount: to-night
be just a little limber-legged.
Then draw up this long leather from the ground, in order
that no person may play tricks.
To-night be girded ready for the snake; and in the morning
with the treasure play
16571657.
Although my “ḥalvā” has arrived at night, its saffron in
the day-time must be seen
16581658.
Though like a choke-pear is the pear of night, the smiling
pomegranate is in dawn’s hands
16591659.
The old man spoke, then to the palace went, to put a place
in order for (his) guest.
Māhān ascended (then) the lofty tree, drew up the leathern
(ladder) from the ground.
He (then) sat down upon the high-placed couch; beneath his
feet all heights (seemed) low (to him).
He opened out the wallet and consumed a portion of the
yellow cakes and white.
He drank some of the water cool and clear, on which the
north wind had bestowed its care.
In such a house perfumed with ambergris
16601660 like the north
wind he had renounced the world
16611661.
As on that couch adorned as by the Greeks he from the Chinese
cushions gained repose
16621662 Pastilles of camphor sweet and sandal-tree from atrabilious
trouble cleared his heart
16631663.
(Soon) he leaned over, towards the garden looked, saw many
candles suddenly afar:
The candles borne by sundry beauteous girls;—the king
enthroned
16641664 (there) beauties’ slave became.
Seven queens together came along one road, (who) from the
moon had snatched seven qualities.
Adorned was each one in a different way; roses and sugar
16651665
they in linen fine.
When they before the garden-palace came, with candles, as
in lanterns, in their hands
16661666,
They made arrangements for a royal feast; they spread a
carpet as the foremost seat
16671667.
The carpet was illumed by light on light, varied in mode
became the song and glee.
That (beauty) fairy-faced who was their chief, who of that
necklace was the crowning pearl,
Sat in her own place in the banquet hall, giving the others
place on either side.
They raised their voices, like the birds, in song, luring the birds
down by it from the air.
Their voices in their all-beguiling power took peace of
heart from Māhān and the moon
16681668.
Their playing made the feet incline to dance; their verses
chanted made the hands beat time.
A wind arose and played some roguish tricks, it opened fragrant
groves of oranges
16691669.
In love-pangs at these pleasing oranges
16701670 Māhān from
suffering pounded sandal-wood.
Since (too) his nature was refined and keen,—when the sweet
music and the songs he heard,
He wished to find some excellent device to get down quickly
from his airy (perch):
And with such beauties, ḥūrī-like in make, to be in heaven
without the Judgment Day.
Again, he brought to mind the old man’s words, he held in
check the struggling of his heart.
And still those idols in their sport and play showed all deluding
and beguiling art.
When they had spent some time in merriment, they placed
a tray, on feasting set their minds:
A tray inset with rubies and with pearls, the rubies joined
together with the pearls.
Foods which had neither fire nor water seen, perfumed with
musk, rose-water, aloes-wood.
Fat lambs from (far) Bulgaria
16711671 (were there), fresh
fish (besides), and (also) fatted birds.
Birds, fish, lamb, “ḥalvā”
16721672, pulse with cumin stewed,—
and thousand dishes made with pulse (were there).
When they had brought a tray of such a kind,—a tray!—no
tray, but rather a whole world,
The queen of beauties in her pleasing way, said, Soon my odd
to even will be changed
16731673.
From sandal, scent as aloes (sweet) I smell; (now) go you to
the sandal=aloes-wood.
A share of perfume it has given my brain,—but is content
of mind, or perfume, good
16741674?
It seems (to me) that one of friendly mind is on the tree,
and harbours some desire.
(Go), call him down for fellowship (with me), that I may play
his fancies (at my will).
If he come not, (then) say the tray’s prepared, (but that)
love for the guest is (far) too great
To let (the queen) put hand upon the tray save at the moment
when the guest has come.
(Say), rise, enjoy companionship with her; the tray is set,
expectant keep her not.
The charmer went up to the sandal-tree, with mouth so small,
so great in coaxing speech.
She made a bulbul long for festive song, and like the rose
she brought him from the tree
16751675.
From youthfulness, the force of which prevailed, the old man’s
admonitions he forgot.
Since love removed the shame (of broken faith), Māhān went
as the guest of that (bright) Moon.
When the (resplendent) Moon saw Māhān’s face, she bowed
down low to him, as throne to king.
She seated him with her upon the rug; on both sides pearls
(of eloquence) were strewn.
At the same tray she sat with him at food, for such does
hospitality require.
And every moment in her kindly care she gave him of the
choicest morsels (there).
When they had finished with the banqueting, the ruby-raining
bowl began to flow.
When they had drunk some measures of the wine, all bashfulness
between them was dispelled.
When wine had rent the veil of bashfulness, his love for that
bright Moon more fervent grew.
He saw a beauty like a flowering Spring; more charming
than a picture in her grace.
With bosom soft and delicate as silk; more dainty, sweeter
she than milk and sweets.
Her face an apple pleasing to the heart, with liquid candy
and (pure) honey filled.
Her body quicksilver one tries to grasp, but which from
fineness through the fingers slips.
Her bosom rivalled the white garden-rose, her waist with
taper and with candle vied.
On her was shed the beauty of the moon; the love of Māhān
soon grew thousandfold.
Now bit he as the crop-sick sugar bite; now did he taste
as bees the honey taste.
When Māhān to that moon made ardent love, the moon-faced
beauty turned away through shame.
He took that Chinese idol to his breast, those sweet white
petals of the Chinese rose.
He put his lips upon that fount of wine: on red cornelian
put a ruby seal
16761676.
When his approving eyes looked well on her, that lustre of
his eyes, a candied fount,—
He saw an ‘Ifrīt
16771677 who from mouth to foot had her
existence from the wrath of God.
A buffalo with boar’s teeth such that none would think
a dragon could so (monstrous) be.
A hunch-back,—God defend us (all)!—a hump like that
of bow, a bow that’s drawn in Tūz
16781678.
Her back a bow, her face was like a crab; her stinking odour
reached a thousand leagues.
A nose (she had) like a brick-maker’s kiln; (she had) a mouth
(too) like a dyer’s trough.
Her lips apart like jaws of crocodile;—she closely held Māhān
in her embrace.
Upon his head and face, no matter how, she showered kisses,
and thus spoke (to him):
O you whose head has come into my hands; O you whose
lips are bitten by my teeth,
You put your hands on me, your teeth as well, to kiss my
lips, and (kiss) my chin as well.
(Now) look at hands and teeth,—nay, sword and lance!
like this are hands and teeth, (and) not like that
16791679.
What was all this desire of yours at first? and why has your
desire so weakened now?
The same lips are these lips, for kisses ask; the face the same,
shut eyes not to the Moon.—
Do not take wine from such a cupbearer as tempts to sense-deluding
drunkenness
16801680.
(And) do not hire a house (too) in a street where the police-director
is a thief.—
All these, my acts, are such as they should be
16811681, if
I would treat you as is requisite.
If I should act not as befits you, then I am the same one that
you saw at first
16821682.
She caused (him) thus affliction ceaselessly, inflicted fiery
acts of violence.
When Māhān, helpless and ill-fated, saw a Moon resplendent
to a dragon changed;
One, silver-legged, (now) showing wild boar’s hoofs; an
ox-eyed (beauty), (now) with ox’s tail;
Beneath that pitch-like dragon he became—(without description)
you must take the sense.
He shrieked aloud like any child in fright, or woman in the
pain of giving birth.
And that black monster like the (famed) White Dīv
16831683 the
willow with her kisses would have fired
16841684.
Until the (first) light of the dawn appeared, the cock crowed,
and the demon fled away.
The veil of darkness lifted from the world, and (all) those
visions were (at once) dispelled.
Those potsherd natures, which as rubies showed
16851685, all
went, and no one in the place remained.
Māhān, (left) lying at the palace-gate, remained until the
sun began to shine.
When he had gained his senses once again from the sweet
basil of the shining day
16861686,
His eyes he opened, saw an ugly place; he found a hell in
place of paradise.
The wealth had gone, naught save laments remained; dust
filled the eyes of vision, fantasy.
The flag, whose source was (but) in fantasy, was fickle, since
it was of fickle state
16871687.
He found the garden all a place of thorns, the hall a place
where mist and vapour rose.
The box and cypress naught but weeds and thorns, the fruits
(all) ants, the keepers of them snakes
16881688.
The breasts of birds and backs of (tender) kids were all but
carrion (now) of ten years’ date.
The player’s instruments, harps, rebecks (all) were (nothing
but) the bones of animals.
Those (costly) tissues (all) adorned with gems (were now all)
leather skins, with tanning, foul
16891689.
The sandal-tree and carpets honeycombed had camphor-like
evaporated (all).
Tanks (clear) as eyes reflecting honour’s soul had turned to
sinks of putrid, stinking lymph.
And that which had been left of (all) the food; that which
remained in the cupbearers’ jugs,
Was refuse, in its nature ordurous; was percolation, all, of
(oozing) sores.
That which was wholly basil-scented wine had all become
a cesspool’s filthy flow.
Again Māhān despaired of his affairs; God’s pardon and
protection he invoked.
To set out on the way he had no power, nor had he daring
(in the place) to stay.
He pondered thus
16901690, It is a wondrous thing; what
tie is this? what collar (round my neck)?
To see a flowering garden yesternight; to see a place of misery
to-day!
What meant a show of roses and (then) thorns? What
gain is in the produce of earth’s fields?
And he knew not that all that we possess is a (fell) dragon
hid beneath a moon.
If they cast down the veil you (then) will see to what things
foolish men devote their love.
These Grecian and these Chinese figures, all, are ugly Ethiopians
when you look.
A skin drawn over blood
16911691 (presents to view) wine outside
16921692,
but a cesspool ’tis within.
If they took off from us these veins and skin, (all love would
cease), a dust-heap no one loves.
Many keen men who pay for snake-stones think they have
them, but find in the basket snakes
16931693.
Many deluded men in this dry bag
16941694 find a musk-pod
a knur of aloes-wood
16951695.
When Māhān from wrong-doers’ hands escaped,—as I (now)
from the story of Māhān
16961696,—
He formed the resolution to act well; sin (thenceforth) he
abjured, made vows to God.
With a heart purified he fled to God; he went upon his way,
his heart’s blood shed
16971697.
Until he reached some water clear and pure; he bathed, and
laid his face upon the ground.
In lowly self-abasement worshipped God; and weeping
prayed the Friend of friendless men:
O Helper, help me in my troubled state! O Shewer (of the
way), shew (me) my way!
His sorrows he poured out awhile to God, laid in His temple
(in the dust) his face.
He said, Not only are You guide to me; who is there whom
You do not shew the road?
You alone help me in my troubled state; You, and no other,
shew the road to me.
When with (more) constant mind he raised his head, he saw a
person standing at his side,
Like the (Spring) month of April, dressed in green; like the
bright, (glowing) dawn, of ruddy face.
He said, In truth, who are you, worthy sir? Essential worth,
sure, in your essence shares.
He said, I’m Khiẓr
16981698, O worshipper of God, (and) I have
come to help you (in your pain).
It is your good intention which has come, in order to convey
you home again.
(So) give to me your hand without delay, (then) close your
eyes, and open them again.
As soon as Māhān heard the words of Khiẓr,—a thirsty man,
he saw the Fount of Life
16991699.
He quickly gave his hand into his hand; he closed his eyes,
and opened them at once.
He saw himself in that secure retreat from where the demon
led him first astray.
The garden-gate he opened, and sped on; to Cairo from a dreary
waste returned.
(And there) he saw his friends (in) silent (grief), all dressed
in blue as mourning (for a friend).
Whatever he had seen from first to last, (all) he narrated to
his friends in full.
All of his friends who were his intimates; whose eyes were
blinded (with their tears) for him,—
He strove to (act) in unison with all, blue (garments) he
prepared and put them on.
Blue came to be inseparate from him; sky-like he took the
colour of the world
17001700.
Than blue the lofty sky has found no silk more beautiful in
hue (to serve as dress).
Whoever takes the colour of the sky,—the sun becomes as
loaf upon his tray
17011701.
That azure flower which they (so much) esteem receives a
round loaf from the sun’s (round) loaf
17021702.
To whatsoever side the sun inclines,—the azure flower still
keeps its glance on him.
Hence every other flower which is blue is called by the Hindū
sun-worshipper.
When the fair radiant Moon had told her tale, with love the
monarch drew her to his breast.
Bahrām on Thursday sits in the Sandal-coloured Dome, and the
daughter of the king of the Sixth Clime tells him a story.
A happy day is Thursday, and ascribed to Jupiter in its
auspiciousness.
When early dawn diffused the scent of musk, (and) sandal-braying
earth
17031703 burnt aloes-wood
17041704,
In concord with the sandal-coloured earth, the king used
dress and wine-cup sandal-hued.
(Then) from the Azure Dome he issued forth, and to the Sandal-coloured
Dome he went.
Wine he received not from a Chinese doll
17051705, but Kau
sar’s
nectar
17061706 from a ḥūrī’s hand.
In happiness he spent the day till night, and drinking wine
he drank of joyousness.
When this collyrium-coloured ocean’s shells poured pearls
into the water-dragon’s jaws
17071707,
Of her in China nurtured, narrow-eyed, he asked (a tale) to
free his heart from care.
The Chinese princess, with a brow composed, let flow a stream
of honey from (sweet) dates
17081708.
She said, Life of the world alive through you! King most
exalted of the kings (of earth)!
Greater (are you) than (all) the desert-sands, rocks of the
mountains, water of the seas.
(As) Fortune is your friend, (so) live you long! May you
be happy in your life and fate!
Giver of light like the resplendent sun! sovereign, bestower
too of sovereignty!
She (then) said, I am apprehensive e’er of this (so) halting,
stammering a tongue;
Then too before the basil-scented wine
17091709 should now be
scattered pearls (of eloquence).
Still as the king a story-teller seeks,—saffron requests for his
enlivenment
17101710,
A bag of babble I will open (now), and (by it) add a smile to
cheerfulness.
The radiant Moon, the adorer of the Sun
17111711, this homage
offered, kissed the monarch’s hand.
STORY.
She said, Once on a time from their own town two youths
departed for another town.
Each one into a corner of his bag had put his food, provision
for the road.
The name of one was Good, the other’s Bad; the acts of each
accorded with (his) name.
When they had travelled two or three short days, the food
which they had with them (for the road)—
Good had consumed (his), Bad kept (his intact): the former
reaped the corn, the latter sowed.
Until, proceeding side by side, they reached a desert waste
that seethed with fever-heat.
A furnace hot as oven-pit of fire, where iron would be (melted)
soft as wax.
A hot and arid tract from water far, which made the north
wind like the (hot) simoom.
Good, confident of water on the way, knew not there was
no water, but a pit
17121712.
But Bad, aware that that waste desert tract, extending far,
no water had (in it),
Had secretly with water filled a skin, and kept it in his bag
like (costly) pearls.
In the hot desert and the drawn-out road in utmost haste and
hurry ran the two.
When the sun reached full heat, grew scorching hot, Bad had
his water, that of Good was gone.
Bad, who the water had concealed from Good, spoke not a
word to him of bad or good.
When Good saw that by evil nature led (the other), having
water in his glass,—
From time to time that comrade secretly was drinking it
like basil-scented wine;
Though he was burning in the heat of thirst, no word of supplication
did he speak.
Thirsty he gazed on water, whilst his mouth was watering
with water from his heart
17131713.
So much so that his heart became all dry
17141714, his eyes
incapable of opening.
’Twixt prayers of morn and even he remained thirsty, without
endurance, power to bear.
He had with him two rubies fiery-hued; water they had,
their water in the stones
17151715.
From those two hidden rubies water flowed,—but water of
the eyes, not of the mouth
17161716.
Those rubies of pure water he took out, and laid before that
water-prisoning rock
17171717.
He said, With thirst I perish, help me, (pray), and with a drop
of water quench my fire.
A draught from that pure limpid fount of life give as a favour,
or sell (at a price).
(Come), freely these two jewels put away; my being with
your water gratify.
(Then) Bad—upon him be the wrath of God!—opened the
pages of his name to him
17181718.
He said, Hew not a fountain out of stone
17191719; I’m proof
against this trick, (so) give it up.
You give me jewels in a desert place, to take them (from
me) in a peopled land.
What man am I that I should so be gulled? More (craftily)
than demon I gull men.
When in devices I display my skill, your stratagems will fall
far short of mine.
Countless such wiles and frauds as this I’ve used; (so) hope
not to excel me in this art.
I will not let you drink my water (here), and when you reach
the town asperse my name
17201720.
How can I take with pleasure gems from you, which you
at last will take again from me?
Those jewels I must have that in no way you will be able
to take back from me.
Good said, Tell (me) what jewels those (you) seek, that to
the jewel-seeker them I hand.
Bad said, (I mean) those jewels twain (your) eyes,—each
one more precious than the other one.
For water sell (your) eyes to me, or else, from this (pure)
fountain turn your face away.
Good said, Have you no shame (then) before God, that you
would sell cold water for hot fire
17211721.
I speak of fountain, which is wholesome, sweet; what kind
of business this, to pluck out eyes?
When I become deprived of eyes, what gain that founts, though
hundred, be in front of me?
How for the Fount of Life
17221722 could one exchange one’s
(precious) eyes? The water sell for gold.
The rubies take, and everything I have: I’ll also sign a deed
for what I have.
By the God of the world I’ll take an oath, that with such
settlement I’ll rest content.
Leave me my eyes, O worthy man; be not, as to a trifle of
cold water, cold.
Bad said, An idle fiction are these words, many such pretexts
do the thirsty show.
I want the eyes, the gems are of no use; those gems may
(far) exceed these (gems in worth)
17231723.
Good, dazed and helpless, knew not what to do; for the pure
water of the fount he wept.
He saw that he would (shortly) die from thirst; that he could
not escape that place with life.
His anxious heart was by cold water lured: when from cold
water have the thirsty kept?
He said, Arise, a sword or dagger take; a draught of water
to the thirsty bring.
Put out my eyes, (my eyes, a fount) of fire, and with some
pleasant water quench my fire.
He thought that such concession being made, he would have
hope after so great a dread.
Bad, who saw this, drew out (his) dagger keen, and like the
wind went to that thirsty clay
17241724.
He struck the lamp, his two eyes, with the point; compunctionless
in putting out the lamp.
He made narcissi
17251725 rose-hued with the blade, (and)
from the crown plucked out the (precious) gems
17261726.
The thirsty man’s eyes having ruined (thus), giving no water,
he resolved to go.
He took away (Good’s) baggage, clothes, and gems, (and)
left the sightless man (quite) destitute.
When Good perceived that Bad had left his side, he had no
knowledge (more) of good and bad.
He rolled about among the dust and blood;—best that he had
no eyes to see himself.
If with his eyes he had perceived his state, he had so feared
that he had died with grief.—
There was a Kurd, a great and mighty chief; he had a flock
free from the plague of wolves.
He also had fine herds, (full) many (a head), such herds as no
one (ever) had beheld.
Seven or eight tents of kinsmen were with him; he had (much)
wealth, the others (all) were poor.
The Kurd in deserts dwelling, crossing mounts, scouring,
as do their denizens, the wastes,
Traversed the desert wastes in search of grass, to pasture
led his flocks from plain to plain.
Whatever grass and water might be found, there for two
weeks his dwelling he would fix.
When the grass was consumed he’d leave the place, and to
another region drive his flocks.
By chance, no longer than two days before, like desert-king
17271727
he’d seized upon that spot.
He had a daughter fair of face, whose eyes with those of Turks,
whose moles with Hindūs vied
17281728.
A cypress watered with the blood of hearts, a charmer bred
in love (bestowed by all).
Honey, like silver in its purity, enclosed in most transparent
Syrian glass
17291729.
(Her) ropes of locks (hung) lower than (her) skirt; she bound
ropes round the neck of the (bright) moon
17301730.
Lock upon lock like garden violets, in blackness blacker than
the raven’s wing.
The magic of her glances, drunk with guile, excelled the power
of Fortune to delude.
The smallness of her sugar-dealing lips had closed the road
of kisses ’gainst her mouth.
The night had gained (its) blackness from her moles; the
moon was radiant through her radiancy.
By reason of her Babylonian
17311731 spells each one resigned
his heart to loss of heart.
With graceful, airy gait that radiant Moon for water went,
like fish, (intent on it).
Far from the track was water on a side: a part with which
she was acquainted well.
She filled (her) jug with water pure and sweet, to carry it
unnoticed to the tent.
(When) suddenly she heard a groan far off, which came from
the afflicted, wounded man.
She followed up the sound on hearing it, and saw a youth
who lay in dust and blood;
Who threw his arms and feet about in pain, with humble
supplication God invoked.
The charmer thought no more of charming arts; she went up
to the wounded man (at once).
She said, Alas for you! Who can you be, so abject in the
dust, and stained with blood?
Who has been so unjust to one so young? Who has betrayed,
conspired against you so?
Good said, O envoy (of) celestial (mien), whether an angel,
whether angel-born,
My case involves some wondrous play (of Fate); the story
(I might tell) is somewhat long.
(But) I from thirst and want of water die; try (if you can)
to help a thirsty man.
Go, if there is no water, I must die; but if there is a drop I
save my life.
The sweet-lipped cupbearer, to safety key, gave him some
water fine as Life’s (pure) Stream
17321732.
Of the cold lymph the anguished, thirsty man drank as much
as was fitting (then) to drink.
His fainting soul became alive again; and that lamp of his
eyes
17331733 was full of joy.
The eyes (half) torn out which she saw misplaced,—calling on
God,—she put again in place.
Although the outer membrane had been scratched, the
humours in the eyeballs still remained.
Sufficient strength was left still in his legs to let him be raised
up from where he lay.
His eyeballs, put in place, she bound (with care), and with
humanity she took his hand.
She used great effort (then) to raise him up, and guiding, led
him straight along the way.
Until the place wherein lay her abode, the sightless man went
on the way with her.
A servant, one of those about the house,—into his hand she
gave the (patient’s) hand.
She said, Conduct him to (my) mother now slowly and
gently, that he be not hurt.
She quickly to (her) mother went herself, and set forth the
event which had occurred.
(Her) mother said, Why did you leave (him there), coming
(yourself), not bringing (him) with you?
For then perhaps some means might have been found, by which
a little ease would have accrued.
She said, I brought him, though in desperate plight; I hope
that he directly will be here.
The servant who had (then) come to the house, to a bedchamber
took the wounded man.
They made a place for him, and set a tray; they gave him
broth and roasted meat cut small.
The anguished man ate, with a bitter sigh, a morsel, and in
pain laid down his head.
The Kurd, who came at night-time from the plain, to take some
food with which to break his fast
17341734,
Saw something of a kind not usual, (and at the sight) his bile
was further stirred.
He saw a man unconscious lying down, like one who, wounded,
has resigned his life.
He said, From what place is this feeble man? How weak and
wounded thus comes he to be?
As to what happened to the man at first, none could with
truth an explanation give.
They told the tale of how his eyes were torn: how onyx
17351735
had been bored by adamant.
When the Kurd saw that the afflicted man was sightless
(there), and with his eyes bound up,
He spoke thus, A few leaves should have been plucked from
branches of a certain lofty tree;
The leaves (well) pounded, till the juice exude, (then) steeped,
and taken to the man (at once).
If such a salve as this had been prepared, (his) eyes would
once again have gained (their) light.
A wound to eyes, although severe, is cured by juice from a few
leaves of that (high) tree.
Then he told where the tree was (found), and said, (There)
in that watering-place, our oasis,
There grows a noble, excellent old tree, the scent of which
gives comfort to the brain.
Its trunk, two branches rising from its root, the separation
’twixt those branches wide.
The leaves of one branch, like the ḥūrīs’ robes, would bring back
light again to sightless eyes.
The leaves of the other, like the Fount of Life
17361736, would
epileptics cure of their complaint.
When from the Kurd his daughter heard those (words), she
gave her mind to seeing to the cure.
She coaxingly petitioned, begged her sire to make provision
for a man in need.
The Kurd on hearing this (her) earnest prayer, departing took
the road towards the tree.
(Then) from the (lofty) tree he plucked some leaves,—an
antidote to (save) the sick from death.
The charmer took them on her sire’s return, and pounding
them extracted all the juice
17371737.
She strained (the essence) till no dregs remained, and poured
it then into the sick man’s eyes.
She bound the medicine on the patient’s eyes, who when he
knew sat up a moment’s space.
Upon propitious fortune fixed his eyes, (then) on the pillow
laid (his) head again.
His head was (kept) bound up till five days (passed), and
placed upon his eyes the liniment.
(When) the fifth day (had come) they set him free; they took
off from his eyes the remedy.
The eyes (which had been) lost were sound (again), and were
exactly as they were at first.
The sightless man unclosed his eyes again like two narcissi
blossoming at dawn.
Good, who received this good, gave grateful thanks that his
eyes, like a mill-ox, had been bound
17381738.
The household (then) were free from care of him; their hearts
rejoiced, affection they conceived.
From all the trouble she had borne for him, the daughter of
the Kurd had fallen in love.
When the tall cypress ope’d narcissi twain
17391739; (when)
the pearl casket (too) became unlocked
17401740,
That one of fairy-birth grew more in love with all the beauty
of the noble youth.
Good, from the acts of kindness she conferred, became in love
too from her love (thus shown).
Although he had not fully seen her face, still he had seen her
when (with grace) she moved.
Her honeyed accents he had often heard, her delicate, soft
hand had touched him oft.
That lovely one had fixed her heart on him, he his on her—
wondrous relationship!—
Good every dawn in the old Kurd’s behalf would gird himself
to do him service (leal).
In (his) charge of the camels and the flocks he used great
gentleness and kindness e’er.
He kept the plague of wolves far from the flocks; with care
he guarded all, both small and great.
The desert wanderer, the nomad Kurd, gaining such ease
of body through his care,
Gave power to him, by taking him as friend; made him
controller of his house and wealth.
When Good had grown familiar in the house, the Kurd asked
many questions (on the past).
They sought intelligence about his eyes, (and asked) from
whom the wrong which he had borne.
Good did not keep the history concealed; all that had
happened, good and bad, he told.
The story of the gems, (his) wish to buy water when tortured
by the plague of thirst.
And Bad’s demanding eyes to pluck them out; the base
man’s injuring these (noble) gems.
He sought these gems, and carried off those gems, (then)
left the thirsty man, no water given.
The Kurd when he had heard the tale laid down his face upon
the ground like convent-monk
17411741.
For he was so rejoiced that a base man had not done (real)
harm to one of worth.
When they heard what that angel-natured man had
borne of evil from that vile hell-fiend,
Good became still more famous than (his) name; became
to them more precious than (their) lives.
They treated and maintained him as they should; the charmer
let no other wait on him.
With face inveiled she tended him herself, she gave him water
whilst she suffered fire
17421742.
Good gave entirely (all) his heart to her, to her gave up the
life from her received.
In honour of that dear and precious pearl he ministered to
cattle, camels, flocks.
(But) said, That fair one—is it possible she be united with so
poor a man?
One cannot marry without land and wealth a girl so perfect
and so beautiful.
I who in poverty eat from their hands,—how fix my eyes upon
relationship?
’Tis best that I, such peril to escape, astutely feign a journey
to be made.
When after this a week had passed away, he wended home
one even from the plain;
By thoughts of (his) beloved pained in heart, like to a beggar
seated near a hoard;
A thirsty man, with limpid water close, more thirsty still
than in the former case.
On that night from the wound which rent his heart his clay
with tears (of pearly whiteness) bloomed
17431743.
He thus addressed the Kurd, O strangers’ friend, much trouble
from a stranger you have borne
17441744.—
Through you my eyes have gained again their light, my heart
and soul by you have been restored.
My life I have sustained (but) by your bread, good things
in plenty eaten from your tray.
Your brand
17451745 is as a light upon my brow; thanks (due)
my (power to) bless you far exceed.
If you look to my mind or to my frame, the odour of your
tray comes from my blood.
If you cut off my head I’ll hinder not; desire it laid upon
(your) tray,—it’s (there).
No longer (truly) should I be your guest; my (wounded)
heart should not be rubbed with salt
17461746.
Not as your hospitality demands can fitting thanks to you be
given by me,
Unless God by His grace afford the means to acquit myself
of what is due to you.
Although by parting I am seeking grief, for leave to quit
your service I must ask.
Long time I’ve been away from my own land, my business
and such work as I may do.
I’ve now resolved to-morrow at the dawn to set out on the
way to (my) abode.
Though I in body separate from you, in mind I shall be near
your threshold’s dust.
My hope in one like you, a fount of light, is that you will not
drive me from your heart.
That you will (too) encourage my design, and make as lawful
all I have received.
The speaker having finished (thus his) words, the household
of the Kurd was fired (by grief).
Loud weeping from among the Kurds arose, tumultuous
cries arose on left and right.
The Kurd was weeping and his daughter more; (their)
brains (were) dry, (their) eyes (were) all bedewed.
(Depressed), they after weeping hung their heads, (immovable)
as water turned to ice
17471747.
(Then) the clear-sighted Kurd upraised his head, and sending
all the servants from the place,
He spoke to Good (as follows), Modest youth, smart, handsome,
friendly, and intelligent,
Think of yourself as gone to your own town, some new distress
endured from some (new) friend
17481748,
When comfort, wealth, good fortune, here are yours, and over
all, both good and bad, full power.
Good, worthy men do not incline to ill, they do not give up
friends for enemies
17491749.
I have in my possession ample wealth, besides the one dear
daughter whom I have:
A daughter amiable, disposed to serve,—’twere bad were I to
say she is not good:
Although the musk is hidden in the pod, the scent of it is
patent to the world
17501750.
If on my daughter and on me your heart should fix—you’re
dearer than (my) life to me.
For such a daughter I, with thankfulness, would choose you
as my son-in-law (from all).
Whate’er I have of camels and of flocks I’d give, that you
might have abundant wealth.
(Whilst) I with you in ease and affluence would live until the
time that I depart.
Good hearing from the Kurd this joyous news, did (him) such
homage as was meet he should.
Having these words of happy import spoken, they went to
sleep in ease and cheerfulness.
The true dawn fastened on its (silver) zone, the bird (of dawn)
17511751
complained like golden bells.
Auspiciously as fits the kingly lot, the eastern sultan sat upon
(his) throne
17521752.
The joyous Kurd (then) rising from (his) place, made fit
arrangements for the wedding rites.
With such a wedding as the union bade, whose offspring should
be fortunate and blest,
He gave his daughter to the care of Good, joined Mercury and
Venus in one course
17531753.
Dying of thirst (Good) found the Fount of Life; the solar light
upon a blossom shone
17541754.
The honey-lipped cupbearer gave a draught from Kau
sar’s
17551755
water to the thirsty man.
First she had life-sustaining water given, lastly she gave him
of the Fount of Life.
They both together lived in happiness; nothing was wanting
of the things required.
Bearing in mind the times had gone before, that which they
had they cheerfully enjoyed.
All of the riches which the Kurd possessed, all he relinquished
to his precious ones.
So thus it fell that house, effects, and herds devolved in (their)
entirety to Good.
When from the meadows, water, and the trees they set off on
their journey for the plain,
Good (went) up to the sandal-scented tree, from which the
people sought for remedies.
Not from one branch, but from the two-fold wood, he gathered
full abundance of the leaves.
He filled two bags full of those (precious) leaves, and placed
them in the load a camel bore:
One to cure colds and epilepsy too; one for the eyes a perfect
remedy.
No person did he tell about the leaves; he hid these remedies
from (people’s) eyes.
Until they journeyed to a town whose king had a (fair) daughter
epilepsy-stricken.
Though they had many remedies employed, she got no better;
they were full of grief.
Each one possessed of knowledge and of skill from one town or
another came in hope;
Thinking by means of remedies applied to free a fairy from
demoniac plagues
17561756.
All in their efforts and attempts lost hope; the torments of
the demon (but) increased.
The king had made a stipulation first that whosoever should
restore her health,—
On him he would bestow her thankfully, and make him
honoured as his son-in-law.
But that whoe’er his daughter’s beauty saw, (and) did not
use a fitting remedy,—
He would attack him with the scimitar and with the scimitar
strike off his head.
Whoever saw the face of that sick girl through (his) attendance
was distressed and dazed
17571757.
Thousand physicians had their heads cut off, both people of
the town and strangers too.
This matter spread abroad throughout the land, but everyone
in hope of the reward
(Still) to the wind (of death) would give his head, pursue the
path that led to loss of life.
(Then) Good, who from the people heard this news, seeing he had
the special remedy,
Sent someone to the king, and (through him) said, I from the
path can sweep away this thorn.
I will remove her trouble by God’s grace, and thus fulfil
my compact with the king.
But, with your leave, it must be understood that I am free
of all desire of gain.
This treatment that I purpose to employ, I shall employ
it for the sake of God;
That God may, in a blest and favoured time, grant me the
means to carry out this aim.
When his communication reached the king, the king allowed
him access to kiss hands.
Good went, and paid (the monarch) homage meet; the latter
asked him, saying, Worthy man,
What is your name? He said, My name is Good, because
my star displayed auspiciousness.
The monarch found his name of omen blest; he said, Good man,
devising remedies,
Of such a work of happy aim as this may the result be good as
is your name!
Then he consigned him to an intimate
17581758, to take him to
(his) daughter’s private room.
He saw a sun-like face, a cypress tree, to a willow turned from
epilepsy’s blasts
17591759.
With eyes of ox
17601760, like lion all perturbed, by night not
resting, sleeping not by day.
Some leaves of that (most blest), auspicious tree he had with
him, tightly, securely tied.
He brayed them, from the essence made a draught, a comfort
to the thirsty, cool and sweet.
He caused the princess (then) to drink the draught; and from
her brain the trouble was dispelled;
That tumult, which was madness, she escaped; as soon as she
had drunk the draught she slept.
When Good perceived that she, a flowery Spring, slept quietly,
from trouble’s onslaughts saved,
He came from that celestial ḥaram forth, and towards his
house returned with joyous heart.
And she of fairy face slept on three days, her father unacquainted
with her state.
On the third day when she upraised her head, she ate such
food as she found suitable.
The king who on his couch heard the good news, with feet
unshod into the ḥaram sped.
His daughter in her senses he beheld within the ḥaram (seated)
on her couch.
The king fell prone
17611761, (then) to his daughter said, O you
whom no one can in marriage mate,
(Say) in (your) malady how fare you (now)?—May all sore
trials from your door be far!
At the king’s majesty she, full of awe, observed the duty of
thanksgiving too.
When the king from the ḥaram’s precincts went, his grief was
lessened, and his joy increased.
Then to an intimate
17621762 his daughter gave a message,
saying to the illustrious king,
I’ve heard that in the register of acts
17631763 the king’s
(recorded) compact is upheld.
Since at the time when heads should be struck off the king
fulfilled the compact (he had made),
Towards such a head as would become a crown his compact he
should (also) carry out;
Since as regards the sword his faith was kept, it should not
slacken as regards the crown.
By the sharp sword a hundred heads have fallen, when not one
by the crown has been upraised.
That one by whom my cure has been achieved, through whom
this fastened lock has found a key,—
His business should not be neglected now, none in the world
should be my mate but him.
’Tis best that in the compact we behave frankly and such an
obligation meet.
The monarch also felt the will arise to carry out the compact
(he had made).
By the king’s leave the noble-minded Good they sought around,
and found him on the road.
They counted him a pearl which has been found, and brought
him (then) at once before the king.
The king said, You, so noble in the world,—why from your
fortune do you hide your face?
He doffed his royal robe and gave it him, in value greater
than a province ’twas.
Some other ornaments he gave besides; a belt of gold, a
baldrick of (fine) gems.
Round town and palace were pavilions raised; the townsmen
decked (the town) in festive guise.
The girl came from (her) arched room on the roof; she saw the
bridegroom like a (bright) full moon:
Active, of cypress stature, handsome face, comely, with
galia
down and musky hair
17641764.
The bride consenting, willing too (her) sire, Good became
bridegroom in despite of Bad
17651765.
A king was master of the treasure-door, he broke the seal of
that which was intact
17661766.
Thenceforth he happy lived as he could wish, viewing designs
of beauty and delight.
The monarch had a powerful vazīr, a good protector of the
people he;
Who had a daughter of alluring grace, (whose) face was like
a lamp upon the snow.
The plague of small-pox to the Moon had come; (and) by (the
effects of) it her eyes were blind.
(Then) of the monarch the vazīr asked leave to let Good to
her eyes restore the light.
On those conditions which the king had made at first, Good’s
remedy restored the Moon.
That idol was united with him too; ecce margaritam quæ
nonnullas margaritas perforavit!
Good found from the delight of those three brides both Kisrá’s
crown, and Kai-Kā’ūs’s throne
17671767.
Sometimes he with the vazīr’s daughter sat, and over every
wish he gained full sway.
Sometimes the princess fair illumed his eyes: a (bright)
Sun he, a (lustrous) Moon was she.
In the Kurd’s daughter he rejoiced at times: from the world
at three games of “nard” he won
17681768.
Good nature, graciousness and wisdom too gained him a place
in all the people’s hearts.
Till so it happened that through fortune’s grace (his gifts)
brought him to empire and the throne.
To rule the city he was reckoned fit; on him was settled the
supreme control.
One day by chance he towards the garden went, a king and
an illumer of the world.
Bad who had been companion on his road, and been acquainted
with his good and bad
17691769,
Traded with Jewish craft and stinginess; Good saw that Jew,
and recognized him (soon).
He said, Bring to the garden after me that person with (all)
harshness and contempt.
Good to the garden went, and sat at ease; the Kurd sat (there)
before him, sword in hand.
Bad (then) came up with open brow assumed, and kissed the
ground (there) with no thought of Good
17701770.
Good said to him, Tell (me) what is your name, O you, whose
head must (soon) weep over you
17711771.
He said, Mubashshir
17721772, a passed master I in all the finest
work of skill and art.
Good said (again), Tell me your proper name; (beware)!
wash not your face with your own blood!
He said, I have no other name than this; show me the sword,
or cup, just as you will.
Good said to him, Vile robber that you are, the law forbids
no man to shed your blood.
You are the worst of men, your name is Bad; worse than your
name (too) is your temperament.
Are you not he whose torturing hand tore out for water once
a thirsty person’s eyes?
The gems, his eyes, the gems (too) in his belt,—you took out
both, and burnt his heart (with grief).
And what was worse, in such a (desert) place you took the
water off and gave him none.
I am that thirsty man whose gems were taken; (yet) is my
fortune good, your fortune bad.
You (wished to) kill me, but God let me live; happy is he
who has support from God!
Since God’s support good fortune gave to me, see, it has given
me kingly crown and throne!
Woe to the life of a base man like you! You sought to take
life, yours you shall not save.
Bad looked at Good’s face, which he recognized; he cast
himself (before him) on the ground.
He said, Have mercy, though I have done ill; ’tis I who did
it, therefore see it not.
To this look, that the swiftly-rolling sky gave Bad as name
to me, and Good to you.
If on that former day I did to you that which the name of one
like me entails,
In such a state of peril do to me what fits the name of one
renowned like you.
Good, by that point reduced to helplessness, from execution
freed the man at once.
When Bad had gained deliverance from the sword, he went
away and ran through joyousness.
The Kurd, bloodthirsty, followed, and behind with the sword
struck him and cut off his head.
He said, Though Good has good and kindly thought, to you
who’re Bad may happen naught but bad.
On searching him he found those two (fine) gems, placed (for
security) inside his belt.
He (then) returned, and brought the gems to Good; he said
(to him), Gem has returned to Gem.
Good kissed (them), and returned (them) to the Kurd; a Jewel
with a jewel gratified.
He put his hand upon his eyes and said, It is from you I have
these two twin gems.
Those jewels are conferred on you for these; those jewels
are your own you know full well.
When Good’s affairs were settled as he wished, (his) people
from him naught but good received.
Since (his) good fortune gave to him the throne, and iron
became gold, his sackcloth silk,
He settled justice on a basis firm, and (so) secured the empire
to himself.
(And since) those leaves which from the tree he brought had
given him from his grievous pains relief,
From time to time, to ward off injury, he used to ride off to
that lofty tree.
He used (then) to dismount beneath the tree, and greet and
bless the land (in which it grew).
In his love of the sandal-scented tree he (always) dressed
in sandal-coloured clothes.
He thought of nothing else but sandal-wood
17731773; he put
on naught but sandal-coloured dress.
Headache by powdered sandal-wood is cured, and palpitation,
hepatitis, too.
The mind is quieted by sandal-wood, the spirits are enlivened
by its scent.
Sandal is (almost) free from colour,—strange! on this account
the earth is sandal-hued
17741774.
After the Chinese Turk had told the tale, with stammering
tongue had swept the dust away
17751775,
The king gave her a place within his soul; that is, he hid
her from the evil eye.
Both night and day he held her for his soul, and from all good
and bad kept her concealed
17761776.
Bahrām sits on Friday in the White Dome, and the daughter of the
king of the Seventh Clime tells him a story.
On Friday when this willow arched and high whitened (its)
mansion through the (rising) sun
17771777,
The king adorned with ornaments of white, went forth in
pride and joy to the White Dome.
Venus upon the Sign of the Fifth Clime
17781778 played the five
turns in honour of the king
17791779.
Until the Greeks attacked the Ethiop van
17801780, the king
indulged in pleasure without stint.
When night with sky-prepared collyrium
17811781 gave brightness
to the eyes of moon and stars,
He, from that loving soul-caressing bride, associate of the
night, born of the dawn,
Requested that with dulcet fluted tones she would evoke
the echoes of her Dome.
When she, that fair one, blessings had invoked both on the
king and on his lofty throne,—
Such blessings as increase prosperity, and may become so
great a throne and crown,—
She said, Since you demand a pleasing tale, this one occurs
to me of those I know.
STORY OF THE MASTER.
Thus said my mother, a true, worthy dame,—old women may
be wolves, a lamb was she,—
Once an acquaintance, one of my own age, took me as guest,—
her tray be ever filled!
A well-replenished tray for us she set;—the foods! what
shall I say, when limitless?
Lamb, birds, ‘Irāqian cumin-flavoured meat, round breadcakes,
and thin flour and butter cakes.
Some species of “ḥalvā”
17821782 which have no name: some
with pistachios, some with almonds dressed.
Fruits, fine and delicate, to charm the taste; apples from
Isfahan, and grapes from Rai.
Speak not of pomegranate, the drinker’s fruit; pomegranate-bosoms
filled the house entire.
When in a measure we had eaten food, we set out to regale
ourselves with wine.
With constant laughter sociably we mixed; I and some
story-tellers of my kind.
Each one told some event about herself, of something singular
or paralleled.
Till came the turn to one of silvery breast, honey in milk,
and milk on sugar poured;
A heart-beguiler such that when she spoke the birds and fish
were by her accents lulled.
She from cornelian loosed a honey-fount
17831783, she made her
lovers cry out and lament
17841784.
She said, There was a youth of honeyed speech, who scattered
sugar through his grace of thought.
A Jesus when his knowledge he displayed; a Joseph when
assemblies he illumed
17851785.
Able in knowledge and accomplishments, his lively apprehension
best of all.
He had a pleasant garden like Iram
17861786, of equal beauty
were the gardens round.
The earth with scent of roses (was) perfumed; its fruits were
like the fruits of paradise.
The cypress like an emerald palace (rose); a dove (was) on
the throne of every branch.
Therein, not Kausar’s stream
17871787, but that in which
was life, a fountain of Life’s Water
17881788 (flowed).
All hearts were centred in its pomegranates; its roses had
no mediating thorns.
If in the garden there were any thorn, it was to guard it from
the evil eye
17891789.
Water beneath the (fresh) young cypresses; around the
flowing waters verdant growth.
Unnumbered birds upraising voices (sweet) in choral symphony
throughout the air
In cypress-trees fixed (raptured) to the spot, moved everyone
endued with heart to song.
As an encompassing protecting line were raised by its four
walls four heads of glass
17901790;
And by (these) structures, towering to the moon, the evil
eye to it no access gained.
It ranged its cypresses, sowed jessamine; it pounded musk,
steeped (all) in ambergris.
On every rich man’s heart (there was) a brand from wish to
have such garden for his own.
The young man every week by way of rest for recreation to
the garden went.
One day at time of mid-day prayer he went to view the garden
and its (leafy) groves.
He found the garden shut, stones at the gate; the gard’ner
soothed to slumber by the harp.
Sweet singers giving voice to dulcet song—may praise and
blessing on such voices rest!
The garden tuneful with melodious tones, the charmers striving
for their best effects.
(Swaying) in dancing movements every tree; bereft of heart
the fruits, of life the leaves.
The master when he heard the songs of love, losing all self-possession
tore his robes.
He had no self-control to turn away, nor any key with which
to unlock the gate.
He knocked much at the gate, no answer came;—the cypress
dancing, and the rose asleep.
The garden he encompassed all around; in all the garden he
could find no way.
When he could gain no access by his gate, he tore some stone
out from the garden-wall.
He went inside to have a look around; with earnest observation
to inspect;
To hear the melody of song, and make (his wish) to see the
garden his excuse;
To see how stood the garden, whence the sounds, and what
had happened to the gardener.
Of all those roses who illumed the place, who in the garden
present were that day,
Two jasmine-bosomed ones of silvery limbs were keeping
order at the garden-gate;
So that no alien’s eyes should (dare to) gaze upon those (radiant)
Moons of ḥūrī face.
(Then) when the master entered by the hole, the girls found
him devoid of shame and rude.
They raised (their) plectrums up and wounded him; they took
him for a thief and bound him (tight).
The man this ignominy suffered:—why? through (fear of)
being charged with an offence.
After ill-treating him with nails and fists, they roughly (then)
exclaimed against him (thus):
You through whose brand the garden (is) displeased, were there
no guard what gain could gardens show
17911791?
A thief who into others’ garden goes,—in beating him the
gardener does well.
We, who have somewhat wounded you with sticks,—’tis well
that we have tied you hand and foot.
Then too, perverse and stupid-minded man, you leave the gate
and enter through the wall!
The man replied, The garden is my own; (but) of my branding
is this brand on me
17921792.
A gate at hand, wide as a lion’s mouth, I leave the gate, and
enter by a hole.
Whoever comes into his land like this, his land will too fall
surely to the ground.
When the girls saw his nature they inquired into the features
of the garden (claimed).
They found him in (his) evidence correct; anger subsided,
litigation fled.
The master of the garden (better) known,—the heart of each
was drawn to love of him.
For he was handsome, young, and eloquent;—a woman’s
lost who sees such (qualities).
They judged it well to be at peace with him, because they
found him of congenial kind.
They were rejoiced to have him as a friend, and set to work
to free him (from his bonds).
They loosened from his hands and feet the bonds, and planted
kisses on his hands and feet.
Many apologies they made to him, and in attention to his
business joined.
Then with excuse might turn a foe to friend,—repair the breach
(too) in the garden-wall,—
They brought some brambles and closed up the breach, and
(thus) escaped the night-attack of thieves.
With blandishments they sat before the youth, and offering
explanations (of the case),
Said, In this garden (green), a flowery Spring,—may the
proprietor enjoy its fruits!—
A feast there is by heart-ensnarers given, beauties of moon-like
face, in nature kind.
All the (most) lovely women in the town, whose beauty (seen)
gives light unto the eyes,
Have in the garden all together joined, tapers and pictures
void of smoke and flaw.
As an excuse for having used you ill, (and) having (thus) cast
dust upon our lot,—
Rise and step out a little while with us, that you may gain
your wish from which you please.
Go to some nook (well) out of sight, and from the strewing of
the roses gain some joy
17931793.
Any fair one on whom you fix your heart, to whom you give
your love, whom you approve,
We will (at once) bring to your secret nook, that on your
threshold she may place her head.
Those accents falling on the master’s ears, his dormant passions
(woke and) cried aloud.
Though in his nature he had continence, passion was to his
nature not unknown.
A man, his human nature was beguiled
17941794: a man, he
could not women’s wiles resist.
With those of jasmine bosom, silver form, he went, (indulging)
in the highest hope.—
Before those beauties of the heavenly fort
17951795 there was a
lofty upper room of bricks.
The master entered it and closed the door, and the (two)
guides retired (then) from his side.
In the front centre of the room there was a hole, and through
it shone a beam of light;
And owing to this hole the master’s eye beheld a narrow source
and spacious stream
17961796.
In the plantation of the garden was a lawn full of the forms
of cypress-grove
17971797.
Each beauty there, enlivening the heart, upraised her voice
in sweet commingled sound.
In gardens pomegranates and apples too fail not, still less
when gard’ners use them well.
(But when) a dragon in their treasure lurks, their oranges
are shrivelled, hard and dry
17981798.
Beauties of silver limb, pomegranate breast, were strewing
roses upon every side.
Light to the eyes were all the honey-lipped, sweeter than (all)
the ripe fruits (of the place).
Pomegranate breasts and chins like apples there he saw, and
other apples held as naught
17991799.
A stream flowed over it like (sparkling) tears; in it were fish
untouched by injury.
And by that stream of surface fresh and bright the jasmine,
lily, and narcissus grew.
Those beauties, velvet-cheeked, came (towards the stream);
they saw a spacious basin towering high.
The heat of the sun’s (rays) had heated them; the sun-like
water had been found by them.
They came with mien seductive to the stream, untying as they
came their wrapper bands.
Their robes they took off and unveiled themselves, and showed
like pearls in water by their grace.
They cast the water on their silvery necks, (sometimes) in
blackness silver they concealed
18001800.
Together in the water moon and fish; confused with one another
moon and fish
18011801.
When the moon into water “dirams” pours
18021802, where
there is any fish it darts (below);
(But) those Moons in their heart-entrancing grace made the
fish rise for (him), the master
18031803, (there).
With hands joined in a ring they danced awhile, mocking the
jasmine (in their loveliness).
Awhile in ranks opposed they scattered pearls
18041804; made
pomegranate and orange valued high
18051805.
One came and made another fear a snake: A snake! she cried,
whilst throwing out a curl.
Una dum alteri crurem natesque ostenderet dixit, Montem
vide, et fissum terræ motu solum.
Columns in Bīstūn (columnless) they raised
18061806; killing
Farhād with the sharp axe (of love)
18071807.
The milky stream which Shīrīns’s palace had
18081808, in that
delightful, pleasant basin rose.
The master saw; no self-control remained; but what avail?
he had no friend or help.
He was as thirsty man to reason lost who water sees he has
no power to reach;
Or epileptic who the new moon sees, and now jumps up and
now sits down again.
He looked towards every cypress statured (belle); a Resurrection,
ne’er a stature saw
18091809.
His veins, full-blooded, through their ferment drew from his
whole being cries and clamour loud.
Standing (there) like a thief concealed (from sight);—that
which you know in such state as you know
18101810,—
His bird through aperture, his snake through hole
18111811,
wished among (them) audaciously to dart.
The fair-faced washed the roses’ faces clear, and looked like
jasmine in silk rosy vests.
They put on silken robes of azure hue, and (in their brightness)
(seemed to) upbraid the moon.
With them, the loveliest player of the harp, was one of Grecian
face and Ethiop locks
18121812.
A sun with full chin like a crescent moon, her lips by none
e’er tasted (honeyed) dates.
Her glances sharper than an arrow’s point, than sugar-candy
sweeter still her smiles.
Like laden cypress pomegranates were dipped in water, water
dipped in pomegranates
18131813.
With one lure she would capture thousand hearts; whoever
saw her died before her (face).
Whenever she began to touch the strings, love woke alert,
and intellect was dimmed
18141814.
The master with that charmer of the world more charmed
afar than watchmen are with light.
Although each one was (like) a (radiant) moon, in that assembly
she was like a queen.
The ascetic in his heart strayed from the path: the laxness
see! fine moral usages
18151815!
After a time those two musk-deer=eyed belles, who (when)
in anger had the lightning’s fire,—
Who roused the musk-deer in that (new) Khoten, and showed
the musk-deer to the cheeta swift
18161816,
Advanced to speak (with him) in honeyed tones, their muslin
veiling crowns of majesty.
They saw the master in the curtained place; as keepers of
the curtain questioned him
18171817.
Said they, To which of all these lovely ones of ḥūrī race does
(most) incline your heart?
The beauty there who pleased the master most, he pointed
out to those two lovely ones.
Ere he had spoken out (they both) sprang up: as deer, nay
rather raging lions, sped.
That beauty, fairy-born, with many a wile, with words sung
to the harp they led away,
In manner such, that no one might suspect, that might not
peril, but advance the affair.
When they had brought the marvel to the room,—the marvel
see! they closed the door of heaven
18181818.
Although he knew not he was mate for her, she mate for him,
and easy his emprise,
(’Twas so), for those fair harpers who had sped, had harmonized
his business like a harp
18191819.
Those stores of grace and beauty had (before) told her in
detail all the master’s case.
That charming one, endowed with fairy face, had fixed her
heart on him (as yet) unseen.
His beauty when she saw him, drew from her iron from silver,—
silver which was gold
18201820.
The master, lost to self-control through love, addressed the
cypress straight in chiding tones
18211821.
He asked, What is your name? Fortune, she said. Said he,
Where is your place? She said, The throne.
What is your curtain
18221822? Music, answered she. And
what your business? Coquetry, she said.
He said, What is your source? She answered, Light. He
said, The evil eye be far from you!
A kiss you’ll give, said he? Sixty, she said. He said, Come,
is it time? She said, It is.
Said he, Shall you be gained? She answered, Soon. He
said, Was this in view? She said, It was.
The master’s heart with strong emotion stirred, he lost (all)
bashfulness and diffidence.
He seized the lovely charmer’s harp-like locks, embraced her
tightly, strained as his heart-strings.
He kissed and tasted (lips as) sugar (sweet), (gave kisses) one
to ten, till ten times ten.
The kisses were as fire to stir (his) heart; the (fervent) heat
gave keenness to his aim.
He wished to taste the sweetness of the spring, and from the
fount of life to take the seal
18231823.
When at the onager the lion sprang, and drew it forcibly
beneath its claws,—
The place was weak
18241824, and, suffering violence, breaches
were opened in its (loosening) bricks.
The chamber was an old one and came down,—let not the
business of the good end ill!
Both this and that one by a hair escaped; this to one side,
that to another sprang.
That they should not be seen upon that road, they went
some distance from that fruitful tract.
The man retired from it, and in (his) pain went to a quiet
place and suffered grief.
The girl went (then) and with her comrades sat, with wrinkled
brow like those who suffer pain.
She set before (her mind her) past distress; (took up her)
harp (and) put (it) on her lap.
When she brought out the sweet plaint of the harp, with
plaints she drove her lovers (all) distraught
18251825.
She said, Be salutation from my harp by the strings’ dulcet
plaint to lovers given.
She touched the strings and thus began to sing: The Judas’
tree had come, the flowers bloomed;
The cypress had drawn out its lofty form, the rose’s smile
displayed a box of sweets.
The nightingale arrived, sat on (its) branch; the day of
making love had (brightly) dawned.
The gard’ner
18261826 to the garden fragrance gave; joyous
he came and on its beauties gazed.
He saw a cup of wine
18271827 and took it up, (but then) there
fell a stone which broke the cup
18281828.
You who have pillaged me of all I had
18291829,—only by you
can my affairs come right.
Although I am ashamed of what I’ve done, my heart to
separation is averse.
Her mode of music gave her confidants full information of
her secret thought.
They went away oppressed with anxious care; they (went
and) sought the master (who had gone).
The master, like a slave who butter steals, had naught but
shame to follow on the feast.
He crept behind a narrow river’s bank, ’neath cypress, willow,
box, and poplar-tree.
Confounded at his injudicious plans,—the yellow wall-flow’r
18301830
from his lilies sprang
18311831.
They sought to know that which he had in mind; and he
told all to those two confidants.
Those secret agents felt it due from them to bring the loved
one to the lover (there).
(Thence) they returned, and opened out the way
18321832;
(so) the rose-water to the rose they sent
18331833.
That friendly one, sweet songstress, came (to him), renewing
for (her) lover love once more.
The master took her hand and (then) advanced unto a certain
place that he thought fit.
Branch upon branch the branches of the trees, forming
aloft innumerable thrones.
He sped beneath the branch of a high tree; with joy of heart
he made a pleasant seat.
With love he drew the heart-ensnarer close: close to his bosom
as the heart it held:
A cypress free with graceful, swaying gait, one like the jasmine
on Sāmānian rug
18341834.
He took her to his bosom and rejoiced; the cypress made
a compact with the rose
18351835.
The moon-faced beauty on the master’s breast, he well inclined,
all self-restraint deposed,
His piece on house-securing all intent, his partner prompt
to carry off the stakes
18361836,
He was all eagerness to take the fort, and quench with water
all the fire of love.—
It chanced a field-mouse (near) had seen some gourds suspended
from the lofty branch (above).
It flew up to the string like any bird, and cut the string which
held them with its teeth.
Such a calamity fell on the ground!—each gourd in figure
like a kettle-drum.
The noise of such a drum went many miles;—a drum,—what
drum? the drum to sound retreat.
The noise, disturbing, with continued clash, tore from the
panther’s claws the deer away
18371837.
The master thought the inspector
18381838 with a stick, the
censor
18391839 with a stone had come to attack.
Leaving his shoes behind, he ran away; he went about his
business once again.
That idol also went with thousand fears back to her intimates
in music skilled.
A short time after she unveiled her heart, joining the music
of the harp to song.
She (thus) sang, Lovers on a time have said, A lover went to
visit her he loved.
He wished to the extent of (his) desire by union with her
happiness to gain,
To take her to his arms as love dictates:—sweet in the arms
of cypress the red rose!
Then through her (swelling) bosom and her chin, an apple
eat, pomegranate from her breast.
Ad locum ubi thesaurus asservatur manus protendere voluit,
ut thesauri portam aperiret;
Saccharum cum saccharo indurato miscere voluit, et salice
rubra tulipæ sanguinem effundere—
(When) suddenly a tumult brought distress, so that so fine
an entertainment failed.
It is not well you offer me false tones; I will not cease to
play true tones for you.
O you whose every throw has been unfair, as one who throws
with fairness make a throw.
A moth is left (here) anxious for the light; a thirsty one far
from the fount of life.
(When) this ode had been sung her confidants, as sympathizers,
understood (its aim).
They went with deprecation to the youth, and found him
stretched at full length (on the ground).
They found him lying, resting on the ground, (greatly) abashed
and (much) distressed in heart.
With kindly treatment (then) and friendliness the cause
of such dejection they inquired
18401840.
Questioned about his state, he told the tale: (even) in hell
’twould raise a bitter sigh.
(Then) those devisers by device, their own, gave him deliverance
from his gloomy thoughts.
From his contracted heart they loosed the bonds, heartened
one out of heart by promises.
Be in this business more expert, (said they); you love, ’tis
true, (but) be more loving still.
At the due time make such a place your nest that (no) calamity
may fly to it.
We surely from afar will hold the place, (and) we will guard
the road like sentinels.
Then for the business they returned again to her of cypress
form and rose-like cheeks.
So that once more she went with charming gait; she found
the master (soon), and soothed his heart.
She came, relieved him of his load of grief; the master, seeing
this, lost mastership
18411841.
He seized her ringlets like a drunken man; and in the garden
sought a quiet nook.
There was a distant corner of the place, a heap of jasmine
(there) a dome of light.
(The jasmine) raised its standard to a wall
18421842; above there
was a wood, below, a cave
18431843.
The master found no better place
18441844 than that, (so) in it
he prepared a pleasant couch
18451845.
He plucked the jasmine and arranged it well, (then) brought
his love in comfort to the place.
Pudore omisso ejus strophii ligamentun, pariterque vestimenti
alterius de quo mentionem facere non licet ligamentum solvit.
He drew a heap of roses to his breast, blanched almonds
sugar-coated (sweet to taste).
Specillo pixi qua collyrium conditur nondum immisso,—the
curved dome
18461846 played (them) still another trick.
Some foxes in recesses of the cave had come together in pursuit
of game.
A wolf had followed close and barred their road, to separate
each from the other one.
The foxes knowing that he fed on all,—a terrible and great
calamity,—
(With terror) took to flight, the wolf behind, their only road
across the master’s bed.
They started up to do as best they could,—in front the foxes,
and the wolf behind.
The master’s court
18471847 had fallen all away, he saw a (hostile)
camp, and bounded off.
Truly he knew not what had happened there; covered with
dust he ran from side to side;
His heart in sore anxiety and pain to know how (best) to quit
the garden soon.
(Then) met him (there) those two of cypress form, who pomegranates,
narcissi, had bestowed
18481848,—
They grasping his beloved by her skirt,—she pearl-like ’twixt
two water-dragons placed.
They shouted at her, What deceit is this? What demon this
among your qualities?
How long will you disturb and vex the youth, killing with
rancour him who loves you (so)?
No person on a stranger, (sure), would play, with show of
sympathy, a trick like this!
This night how often have you left him (thus)! How much
deceit and fraud have you employed!
She offered pleas and swore (that they were true); they would
not listen to the truth from her.
Till in distress the master came to them; he saw the dawn
between a pair of shears
18491849;
Covered with shame at their severe reproofs, receiving blows
from this one, slaps from that.
He said, Beware (now)! Take your hands from her! Do
not distress (my) friend who is distressed.
Since from a (radiant) Moon no sin has come, (so) must you
sing a better air to her.
If in such want of faith be any sin, hands should be laid on
those ashamed (of it)
18501850.
Her nature is quite pure of any sin; any offence committed
is from me.
The clever and sharp-witted of the world are all devoted servants
of the pure
18511851.
The grace of God had given my affairs immunity from harm
and from mischance.
And all those harms which broke my spirit (so), (which came
and) heaped mischance upon mischance,—
Since (my good) fate had given me continence,—they gave me
freedom from so ill an act
18521852.
He whom the demon brings not to his aims is good in grain,
naught that is good does ill.
(But) he who puts his heart on action base,—saving your
presence,—base of birth is he.
A beauty with so fairy-like a face,—no person can refrain
from loving her:
(No man), especially, who has some youth, the feelings of a
man, some love in him.
But still when chastity protects the road, one cannot (think
of) going to meet sin.
No one can eat fruit from the fruitful tree on which a single
evil eye may look
18531853:
The eyes of hundred kinds of beasts of prey
18541854 (were) on
us, hence our business turned out ill.
What’s gone has gone, of that I will not speak; thus will I
spoil not that which (still) I have.
I now repent of (all) both hid and clear, and from the Ruler
of the world accept
That if He grant me still a time to live,—since she of sugar
lips receives her slave,—
As lawful wife I’ll take her as my bride, treat her with more
devotion than before.
The agents seeing how it was with him, were awed at his
God-fearing piety.
They put their heads before him on the ground; they said,
Be blessings on a faith so pure:
(Faith) in which seeds of goodness have been sown, and which
from evil disposition ’s kept.
How many are the griefs which seemed as griefs! they were
thought griefs, but comforts were in fact.
How many too the pains which come on man, and still a remedy
is in the pain.
The lovely ones put coquetry aside, confounded at the puppet-playing
sphere
18551855.
When from the mountain rose the fount of light, it banished
from the world the evil eye.
Dawn, like the spider of the astrolabe, unto the world’s pole
spun (its) gossamer
18561856.
Bearing a lamp
18571857 a breeze arose and bore the gard’ner
from the garden to the town.
The master raised (his) standard in control, released from that
subjection and those bonds
18581858.
From last night’s fire of love-essays his heart was cauldron-like
to ebullition brought.
When to the town he came, he sought (at once to carry out)
in faithfulness his aim.
The Moon of last night he induced to come, assigned the portion
18591859
as the law commands.
Margaritam imperforatam coralio perforavit: experrectus est
gallus, piscis requievit
18601860.—
If (in the world) you look from bird to fish
18611861,—this same
affection will be (found) in all.
Good fortune his to find a limpid stream! he drank of (water)
lawful then to him.
Pure as the (radiant) sun he found a spring, bright, clear as
jasmine, and, as silver, white.
In whiteness is the (bright) light of the day; by whiteness
too the moon illumes the world.
In colour is an artificial taint, except in whiteness, which is
pure, unstained.
Man when bestained is in a hopeless state; whiteness, the sign
is of his purity.
(Then) when in adoration men engage, it is the mode that they
should dress in white
18621862.
She, jasmine-bosomed, ending thus her words, the monarch
gave her place upon his breast.
Thus many a night in comfort and in joy he went and tarried
in the Domes (in turn).
The sky, constructor of the (lofty) domes
18631863, opened the
doors of the Seven Domes to him.