Siyar al-mutaʾakhkhirin 24.4.2

24.4.2

May God's mercy be over him, and may he be admitted into the mansions of the pious and virtuous! This doleful intelligence was brought to me at Banares by an express dispatched by my glorious mother (whose shadow may long continue to stretch over me!) I received likewise repeated and pressing letters from my kind brother, Naky-aaly-qhan-fahr-ed-dowlah, and from some other relations and kinsmen, who all requested my presence instantly. This intelligence having overset my schemes, I discontinued my attendance on Mr. Sage, and proceeded to Hossein-abad. The venerable just whom I have just been mentioning, and upon whom I had hitherto waited so respectuously and so constantly, was dissuading me from that journey. "A little time more," would he say, "and I will quit this fragile world. I wish that at that moment you may not be asunder from me." These words melted my heart. But the importunities of my mother, and of those that survived my forgiven father, together with the feebleness of my own destiny, did not allow my obeying commands so worthy of obedience, or of reaping the advantages of my attendance on that venerable man. Had I been able to stay, my attendance on him would have proved the greatest happiness of my life; but there is no helping the failures of one's destiny! Verses: "To those born to ill luck, of what use can be a complete guide?" "See! an Elia is bringing an Alexander thirsty from the fountain of life!"