Rumi's Masnavi - On account of greed and expectation he runs every risk in the way of earning his livelihood and seizing property by violence and (employing) a hundred devices.

On account of greed and expectation he runs every risk in the way of earning his livelihood and seizing property by violence and (employing) a hundred devices. 1190

When, (as happens) rarely, he becomes independent of (earning his) bread, he is in love with fame and the praise of poets,

In order that they may give fruit to (may adorn) his root and branch and may set up a pulpit to declare his excellence,

So that his pomp and magnificence and lavishing of gold may yield a perfume, like (that of) ambergris, in (their) song.

God created us in His image: our qualities are instructed by (are modeled upon) His qualities.

Inasmuch as the Creator desires thanksgiving and glorification, it is also the nature of man to desire praise, 1195

Especially the man of God, who is active in (showing) excellence: he becomes filled with that wind (of praise), like an undamaged leathern bag;

But if he (the recipient of praise) be not worthy, the bag is rent by that wind of falsehood: how should it receive lustre?

I have not invented this parable, O comrade: do not hear it (as though it were) silly, if thou art worthy and restored to thy senses.

The Prophet (Mohammed) said (something like) this, when he heard vituperation (from the infidels who asked), “Why is Ahmad (Mohammed) made fat (happy) by praise?”

The poet went to the king and brought a poem in thanks (and praise) for (his) beneficence, saying that it (beneficence) never died. 1200

The beneficent died, and (their) acts of beneficence remained: oh, blest is he that rode this steed!

The unjust died, and those acts of injustice remained: alas for the soul that practises deceit and fraud!

The Prophet said, “Blest is he who departed from this world and left good deeds behind him.”

The beneficent man died, but his beneficence died not: with God, religion (piety) and beneficence are not of small account.

Alas for him who died and whose disobedience (to God) died not: beware of thinking that by death he saved his soul (from punishment). 1205

Dismiss this (topic), for the poet is on the way—in debt and mightily in need of gold.

The poet brought the poem to the king in hope of (receiving) last year's donation and benefit—

A charming poem full of flawless pearls, in hope and expectation of the first (former) munificence.

The Sháh indeed, according to his habit, ordered a thousand (dinars to be paid) to him, since such was the custom of that monarch;

But, on this occasion, the bountiful vizier had departed from the present life, (mounted) on the Buráq of glory, 1210

And in his place a new vizier had assumed authority; but (he was) very pitiless and mean.

He said, “O king, we have (great) outlays: this donation is not the (fitting) reward for a poet.

With a fortieth part of this (sum), O thou (whose favour is) eagerly sought, I will make the poet man happy and content.”

The people said to him, “He carried away a sum of ten thousand (dinars) in ready money from this valiant (king).

After (having eaten) sugar, how should he chew (the empty) cane? After having been a sultan, how should he practise beggary?” 1215

He (the vizier) replied, “I will squeeze him in torment, that he may be made wretched and worn out by waiting;

Then, if I give him earth from the road, he will snatch it as (though it were) rose-leaves from the garden.

Leave this to me, for I am expert in this, even if the claimant be fiery (hot and fierce).

Though he (be able to) fly from the Pleiades to the earth, he will become meek when he sees me.”

The king said to him, “Go: ’tis for thee to command; but make him happy, for he is my eulogist.” 1220

He (the vizier) said, “Leave him and two hundred (other) lickers-up of hope to me, and write this (down) against me.”

Then the minister threw him into (the pains of) expectation: winter and December passed and spring came.

In expectation of it (the reward) the poet grew old; then he was crushed by this anxiety and making shift to provide (the means of livelihood),

And said (to the vizier), “If there is no gold (for me), please give me abuse, so that my soul may be delivered (from expectation) (and that) I may be thy (devoted) slave.

Expectation has killed me: at least bid me go, that this wretched soul may be delivered from bondage.” 1225

After that, he (the vizier) gave him the fortieth part of that (gift): the poet remained in heavy thought,

(Thinking), “That (former gift) was so promptly paid and was so much: this one that blossomed late was (only) a handful of thorns.”

Then they (the courtiers) said to him, “That generous vizier has departed from this life: may God reward thee!

For those gifts were always multiplied (increased in amount) by him: there was no fault to be found with the donations (then);

(But) now, he is gone and has taken beneficence away (with him): he is not dead, (but) beneficence is dead (in this world), yea, verily. 1230

The generous and upright minister is gone from us; the minister who is a flayer of the poor has arrived.

Go, take this (money) and flee from here by night, lest this minister pick a quarrel with thee.

We have obtained this gift from him by a hundred devices, O thou who art ignorant of our exertions.”

He turned his face to them and said, “O kindly men, tell (me), whence came this myrmidon (ruffian)?

What is the name of this vizier who tears off the clothes (of the poor)?” The company (of courtiers) said to him, “His name too is Hasan.” 1235

He (the poet) cried, “O Lord, how are the names of that one and this one the same? Alas, O Lord of the Judgement!

That Hasan by name (was such) that by a single pen of his a hundred viziers and ministers are disposed to liberality.

This Hasan (is such) that from the ugly beard of this Hasan thou canst weave, O (dear) soul, a hundred ropes.”

When a king listens to such a minister, he (the minister) disgraces the king and his kingdom unto everlasting.

The resemblance of the bad judgement of this base vizier in corrupting the king's generosity to (that of) the vizier of Pharaoh, namely, Hámán, in corrupting the readiness of Pharaoh to receive (the true Faith).