Page:Tales from the Gulistan (1928).pdf/57

Story XVI of two stages; I perceived his outward appearance to be distressed, his costume being that of Dervishes. I asked: "What is the matter?"

He replied: "As thou hast predicted, some persons envied me, brought against me an accusation of treason; the King ordered no inquiry on its truthfulness, and my old well-wishes, with my kind friends who failed to speak the word of truth, forgot our old intimacy.


 * "Seest thou not in the front of the possessor of dignity,
 * They place the hands on their heads, praising him?
 * But, if fortune's turn causes his fall,
 * All desire to place their feet on his head.

"In short, I was till this week undergoing various persecutions, when the news of the pilgrim's [approach] from Mekkah arrived, whereon I was released from my heavy bonds, and my hereditary property confiscated."

I replied: "Thou hast not paid attention to my remarks, when I said that the service of Pâdshâhs is like a sea voyage, profitable and dangerous, so that thou wilt either gain a treasure or perish in the waves. The Khâjah either takes gold with both hands to the shore, or the waves throw him one day dead upon the shore."

Not thinking it suitable to scratch the wound of the Dervish more than I had already done, and so sprinkle salt thereon, I contented myself with reciting the following two distichs:


 * Knewest thou not that thou wit see thy feet in bonds,
 * If the advice of people cannot penetrate into thy ear?
 * Again, if thou canst not bear the pain of the sting,
 * Put not thy finger into the hole of a scorpion.