Chapter I: Story of Shapur

I have heard that Shapur very silent became,When the monarch Khusrau drew his pen through his name.When his state was, from poverty, ruined and low,The following story he wrote to Khusrau:—"Oh king ! who hast justice in Earth's regions spread,You in goodness will live although I may be dead.Since under your shadow my youth I have passed,In old age, from your sight do not drive me at last !"The stranger, with mischievous thoughts in his head,Do not hurt! but expel from the country, instead.It is well, if to show him your wrath you are slack,For his own wicked mind is a foe at his back.If a native of Persia he happen to be,Don't to Rum or Sanaa or Saklab make him flee !Even there, let his life not till breakfast time last !It is wrong an affliction on others to cast!For they'll say, "May the land suffer ruin and rout,From which such a man is allowed to come out !"When rule you confer, a rich person secure !For no fear of the king has the man who is poor.When a needy one's neck on his shoulder must lie,Nothing comes from him afterwards, saving a cry.When a Treasurer's hands to his trust are untrue,You must send an Inspector to keep him in view;And if he, too, a facile accomplice should prove,The Collector and Spy from their charges remove.A man who fears God, to his charge will be just ;The minister fearing yourself, do not trust!Give money and reckon and vigilant be !In a hundred, one faithful you rarely will see.Two old, kindred spirits, who show the same bent,To the same place, together, should never be sent !How know you that they are not partners in cant ;One a thief, and the other a thief's confidant?When thieves 'mong themselves, yield to terror and fear,Through the midst of them passes the caravan clear.If you've turned out of office a man for a crime,Forgive his offence, in a moderate time !To accomplish the wish of a faithful one's heart,Is better than thousands of fetters to part.Make a trusty accountant the prop of your sway;He falls not, and cuts not hope's tent-ropes away.The king who is just to the Pillars of State,Like a father with son, now and then is irate.At one time he beats him, till pain through him flies,At another, he brings the pure tears from his eyes.When you exercise mildness, your foe becomes brave ;And when you show ire he submits like a slave.Severity tempered with mildness is wise;Like the surgeon who cuts and the plaster applies.Intrepid, good-natured, and liberal be !And sprinkle on all, since God sprinkles on thee.When you think of the reigns of the monarchs of yore,Think the same picture yours, when your regnum is o'er.No person who entered this world has remained,Save the man whose good name in the world is retained.He died not who left, as a pledge in his place,A bridge, well, or alms-house, or inn for his race.When a man does not leave a memorial behind,His tree of existence you fruitless will find.If he went and no off'rings nor good left instead,The " Al-hamd" on his dying ought not to be read !When you wish that your name in the world may endure,The renown of your ancestors do not obscure !The self-same desires, airs, and joys they held fast;They departed and left them behind them, at last.One man from the world bears a name that is dear;To another, vile customs for ever adhere.The ear of consent, to one's harm, do not lend !And if talk you should hear, think of how to befriend!The culprit's pretexts, to oblivion let go !If he asks your protection, protection bestow !If a sinner is able a refuge to win,"Tis unlawful to kill for the very first sin.If you threaten him once and he scouts all advice,Give him prison and bonds if he dares to sin twice !And if bonds and advice are not likely to suit,He's a very bad tree, dig him up by the root !When you feel very angry at any one's crime,Before you chastise him, delay for a time !You can fracture a Badakhshan ruby in two,But you cannot repair it again, if you do.