Muntakhab al-tawarikh 175.2

175.2

You wrote with that pen which cherishes the poor and distils musk, “Without a doubt Badaoni excels Dawwani,” etc. I reply to these verses in the following masnavi:— O thou whose tongue is the key of the Hidden Book, Whose pure heart is an outcome of the Infallible, Thy pen hath displayed miracles, The hidden treasures of “Be, and it was.” Thou saidst, with a logic which nourishes the intelligence, “Badaoni is more pleasant than Dawwani.” Whether it be of Dawwani or of Badaoni (that thou speakest), Both subjects receive all their wealth from the treasure house of thy grace. My heart has become the mirror of thy beauty, The place where thy never-failing bounty is displayed. What wonder then if, in regarding it truly, Thou shouldst see thyself there? If these verses be mere ostentation then let this much suffice. Who am I that I should presume in answering you? I have had recourse to poetry, wherein I have loosed the tongue of deprecation, seeking forgiveness, and asking pardon for my remissness in observing the custom of writing friendly letters, a custom which is contrary to the habit and wont of the vulgar, nay, may rather be described as one of the peculiar characteristics of those who are raised above the common herd, as you yourself know well, and, regarding this letter as atonement for my fault, I count it full satisfaction of all that is past.