Muntakhab al-tawarikh 257.2

257.2

“O King! The world is a wonderful place, Every moment it presents some fresh spectacle. The revolving sky, like a deceitful juggler, Begins every moment some new prank. From times of old there have been in the world Crowned kings, with armies and suites. Of these old heroes, with all their desires and ambitions, There remain time-worn histories, naught else. Had the prophets seen any hope of permanence in the world Why should they have fled from it? O King! the works of this world are all crux, Thus is it now, and was in the past, and ever will be. Among all these complicated affairs One’s first object should be to acquire a good name, the rest is naught. The object of this long harangue of mine is to say What thou should’st do now that thy turn for sovereignty has arrived. In this age, in which the world is adorned by thy presence, May God be thy protector from harm! If the Humā has flown from this rose-garden Cast thou thy shadow on our heads. Since my words are without guile It is meet that I should offer thee counsel. Since I strive only for thy welfare, Why should I conceal from thee the words of truth ? To all words, whether uttered by this one or that one, Give ear, if they touch the root of the matter. It behoves a king, both in season and out of season, To take heed to himself and to consider both the people and God. The poor man’s error leads only to the loss of his bread, The king’s error is a calamity to the world.