The Rashīdī History 131.2

131.2

When the bearer of this missive arrived at the court of the Khan, the [following] answer was returned: "It is fitting that every man follow the profession of his father. If he follows his mother he is going backwards. For Uzun Hasan withdrew himself from the circle of kings, on the day that he gave his daughter in marriage to your father, as did also Sultan Yakub, son of Hasan, in giving him his sister. You had a right to make claims on your mother's side, so long as there was no son in the world like me—Sultan, son of a Sultan. As the proverb says: 'Let the son do the father's work, and the daughter the mother's.' [Verses] Kings know the secrets of the business of the realm. Oh! Hafiz, thou beggar, sitting in the corner, do not complain." Having exhausted his eloquence, Shahi Beg Khan sent back by the envoy a staff [asa] and a beggar's bowl [kachkul], adding: "In case you have forgotten your father's trade, I remind you of it. [Verses.] Oh! my friend, if you value your life give ear to good counsel; Ye happy youths, listen to the wisdom of the sage old man. If you place your foot on the step of sovereignty think of your own danger. [Verses.] He may clasp the bride of sovereignty firmly to his breast, Who dares to kiss her amid the clashing of keen swords."