Muntakhab al-tawarikh 311: CI. FAHMĪ OF SAMARQAND.

311

He is the son of Nādiri of Samarqand. He was a jovial man, and expert at composing enigmas. He came to India and then returned again to his own country. The following verses are his:
“Since the tavern-keeper described to me the properties of wine, My repentance of my repentance passes description.”
He said, ‘Nobody has excelled me in these three shīns, Shamshīr (‘the sword’), shi‘r (‘poetry’), and shaṭranj (‘chess’).’ The Emperor at once replied, ‘The same might be said of two other shīns, shaiṭānī (‘devilry’) and shaṭṭāḥī (‘effrontery’).’ Fanā’ī spent some time in prison, and when he was released he was seized with madness, which, taking him by the hand, led him away into some wilderness, whither, nobody knows. He has written a dīvān and his poetry is of the character of that of the debauched Caghatai nobles. The following couplet is by him,
“Every one attains his object by his nightly cries of ‘O Lord, O Lord!’ O Lord! Why do not I attain my object by my cries of ‘O Lord!’”
The following opening couplet also, which I have borne in my mind for the last fifty years, and which is quoted in the Tārīkh-i-Niẓāmī, is by him:—
“I say not that I have a house worthy to be honoured by thy footsteps, I am a stranger, and humble, and have but a waste corner.”
(The following is another opening couplet.)
“Whilst thy rosy face blossomed above the rosy wine The wine blossomed in the cup from the reflection of thy rosy face.”