Chapter IX: Story on the Time of Childhood

From the time of my father I mem'ry retain,(May mercy in show'rs on him constantly rain !)That a tablet, a book and a ring, golden-wrought,For my use, in the days of my childhood, he bought.A purchaser, suddenly, came and conveyedThe ring from my hand, and a date for it paid.When the worth of a ring to a child is unknown,With a sweetmeat a person can make it his own.You, too, failed to reckon your life as a boon,Since you've cast it away in sweet pleasures, so soon.When the good at the last Judgment Day mount on high,And from under the earth to the Pleiades fly,Your own head will remain hanging forward from shame,For round you will press all the sins to your name.Oh brother ! feel shame at the work of the bad!For in front of the good, you'll be humbled and sad.When the Fates ask of actions and what has been said,The bodies of heroes will tremble from dread.To the place where the prophets in terror remain,Come ! and all your excuses for sinning explain !The woman who worships the Lord with delight,Is better than man who is godless in plight.Respecting your manliness, rises no shameThat woman should over you preference claim?The women because of a general law,At seasons, their hands from devotions withdraw.You sit like a woman, no plea have you got,Go! oh lower than woman ! of manhood boast not !"What measure of eloquence centres in me ?"Thus said the most eloquent man, Ansari,"Oh strange ! do not me with amazement behold!Observe what my great predecessors have told !When you straightness exceed you to crookedness lean ;In a man less than woman, what manhood is seen?"In indulgence and mirth lustful appetite train,And the enemy, shortly, more strength will obtain !