Muntakhab al-tawarikh 257.5

257.5

What favour is this, and what sympathy, That thou hast towards us and towards thyself? This valour of thine is beyond conception, This bravery is ever fresh in thee. Although these things are doubtless a merit, They are, nevertheless, a defect in a king: While the king remains far removed from hurt, The people of his land are in safety: If a king never spares himself, The whole world is thrown into confusion. We desire the world and our lives to be blessed with thy presence: Without thee what are the world and our lives to us? Khan-jar, beware of prolixity, And weary not the king’s heart: This speech of thine has wandered from the point, And the king has no need of it: Since he is accepted before God His wealth consists in devotion to business. His very sleep is perfect wakefulness Even when he wanders, it is perfect wisdom. The right is with him who does his duty And thus becomes independent of all labour.” When he recited this masnavi he was honoured with various favours. He has also composed a divan, which is well known. The following verses are by him:— “How often in her street shall my heart secretly heave sighs, And afterwards how often shall I lament that my life is leaving me?" “The waters have passed over my head, and my life has gone on the breeze; My body has become dust; yet still the fire of my heart breaks into flame.”