Grievously wounded in an expedition against the Tartars

TALE XI

A certain gallant man was grievously wounded in an expedition against the Tartars. Somebody said, “Such a merchant has an unguent, of which perhaps he might give you a little were you to ask it.” The merchant was notorious for his parsimony. If the sun had been on his table instead of bread, no one would have seen light in the world until the Day of Judgment. The gallant man replied, “If I ask for the unguent, it is uncertain whether he will give it or not; and-if he should give it, the effect is doubtful. On every account, to ask of such a man is a deadly poison.”

That which you obtain by entreaty from mean people may benefit the body, but it injures the soul; and the sages have said, ‘ If the water of immortality, for example, was to be sold in exchange** for reputation, the wise man would not purchase it; for an honourable death is preferable to a disgraceful life.’ If you eat colocynth from the hand of a kind man, it is preferable to a sweetmeat given by one who has a crabbed countenance.

TALE XII

A certain learned man, who had a large family to support with very scanty means represented his case to a great man, who entertained a favorable opinion of him. He disapproved of the application, deeming it unworthy of a man of spirit. When you are dissatisfied with your fortune, approach not your dearest friend, or you will turn his pleasure into sorrow. When you expose your distress, preserve a lovely and smiling appearance: he never fails in his pursuit, who maintains a joyful countenance. It is said, that the great man increased his pension a little, but treated him •with less respect than formerly. After some time, perceiving his diminution of affection, he said, “Evil is that food which you obtain in the time of distress; the kettle is indeed upon the hearth, but your reputation diminished. He increased my bread and lessened my honour: it is better to be destitute of means, than to suffer the disgrace of solicitation.”

TALE XIII

A Durwesh having a pressing want, somebody said to him, “Such an one has inconceivable wealth, and were he apprised of your condition, he would not suffer any delay to happen in supplying you.” He answered, “I do not know him.” The other said, “I will conduct you and taking hold of his hand, shewed the way to his house Gregorian calendar. The Durwesh, on beholding one sitting, who had a hanging lip and severe countenance said nothing, but returned. The other asked, What he had done? He replied, “I gave his bounty in exchange for his visit.”

Expose not your want to one of a sour countenance, for you will be distressed by his ill-nature. If you disclose the sorrows of your heart to any one, let it be to him whose pleasant countenance will assure you prompt payment.

TALE XIV

There happened one year sncli a drought at Alexandria that men conld not support it with patience; the doors of heaven were shut against the earth, and the lamentations of all creatures reached the sky. There was neither bird, beast, fish, nor insect, which had not sent up its petitions to heaven. It is wonderful that the smoke of the aspirations from the hearts of all creatures should not have collected in the form of clouds, and their tears been converted into an inundation of rain.

In such a year, an hermaphrodite, (far be such an one from our friends!) As using words to describe him is contrary to good breeding, especially in polite company, but at the same time it is not proper to pass him over in silence, because some people might impute it to the ignorance of the relator; therefore I shall abridge my meaning in the following verses: “From a little we judge of much; an handful is a sample of an ass-load. If a Tartar should kill that hermaphrodite no one could require his blood in retaliation. How long will he continue to resemble the bridge at Bughdad, which ^ has water running under whilst men are passing over it? ”

This person, of whom I have given some description, was at this time possessed of immense wealth; amongst the needy he distributed gold and silver, and provided a table for the entertainment of travellers. A company of Durweshes, perishing with want, were inclined to have aceepted his invitation, and came to ask my advice. I dissuaded them from their inclination, and said, “The lion will not eat the dog’s leavings, although he should perish with hunger in his den. In the present case, submit to the pangs and cravings of hunger, and hold not up your hand to implore charity from a mean wretch. If a man destitute of virtue should equal Feridoon in wealth and power, yet account him nobody. The variegated silk and fine linen, on the back of a blockhead, are lapis-lazuli and gold on a wall.”