Muntakhab al-tawarikh 225: XIV. AFSUSI OF TUSTAR.

225

His assumed name accords well with his nature. He has committed to memory, parrot-like, some phrases from the Futūḥāt and the Fuṣūṣu ’l-Ḥikam, and has strained, in ignominious treatises, to establish the good faith of Pharaoh, for which reason he has been nicknamed ‘Pharaoh’s Advocate.’ The following is the opening couplet of a masnavi by him:—
‘Thou badest, “Shall I deal with my vassals faithfully or cruelly?” O, impudent one, know that we choose the former!’