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6
2532-2581

  • He was always bringing up stories and jests and keeping the king in merriment and laughter.
  • When sitting (with him) he used to make him laugh so (heartily) that the king would grip his belly with both hands;
  • And (many a time) his body sweated from the violence of his laughter and he would fall on his face with laughing.
  • (How strange, then, that) to-day, on the contrary, he (Dalqak), pale and grim like this, is laying his hand on his lips as though to say, “Hush, O King!” 2535
  • Foreboding on foreboding and fancy on fancy (occurred) to the king (as he wondered) what chastisement would come (upon him),
  • For the king's heart was anxious and alarmed because the Khwárizmsháh was very bloodthirsty,
  • And that perverse (tyrant) had killed many kings in that region either by craft or violence.
  • This King of Tirmid was apprehensive of (being attacked by) him, and his apprehension was increased by the artifice of Dalqak.
  • He said, “Be quick! Tell (me) what is the matter. Who is the cause of your being so perturbed and agitated?” 2540
  • He replied, “I heard in the country that the king had proclaimed on every highway
  • That he required some one to run to Samarcand in three days and would bestow (his) treasures (on the courier).
  • I hurried to you in order to say that I am not able to do it.
  • For one like me such agility is impossible: at all events do not expect this of me.”
  • “Curse your hurry!” cried the king; “for (in consequence of it) a hundred confusions have arisen in the city. 2545
  • (Is it only) for this trifle, O half-baked fool, (that) you have set fire to this meadow and hay?”
  • (This is) like (the behaviour of) these raw (ignorant) persons (who come) with drum and banner, saying, “We are couriers (speeding) in (the path of spiritual) poverty and non-existence,”
  • (Who) boast far and wide of being Shaykhs and make out that they have (attained to) the rank of Báyazíd,
  • And, having (as they claim) travelled away from themselves and become united (with God), open a conventicle (for disciples) in the abode of pretension.
  • (While) the bridegroom's house is full of turmoil and trouble, the girl's family know nothing about it. 2550
  • (The bridegroom's people raise) an outcry, saying, “Half the affair is concluded: the conditions that are (necessary) on our side have been fulfilled.
  • We have swept and garnished the rooms and have risen up (from our labour) intoxicated and glad with this ardent desire (to receive the bride).”
  • Has any message come from over there? “No.” Has any bird come hither from that roof? “No.”
  • After (all) these missives (which ye have sent) one on the top of another, has any answer reached you from that neighbourhood?
  • “No; but our Friend is acquainted with this (matter), because inevitably there is a way from heart to heart.” 2555
  • Why, then, is the way devoid of (any) answer to (your) letter from the Friend who is (the object of) your hope?
  • There are a hundred signs (of response), (both) secret and manifest; but desist, do not lift the curtain from this door.
  • Return to the story of that foolish Dalqak who brought tribulation on himself by his silly meddling.
  • Afterwards the vizier said to him (the king), “O Pillar of the Truth, hear a word from thy humble slave.
  • Dalqak came from the country on some (wicked) enterprise; (but now) his mind is changed and he has repented. 2560
  • He is making the old (corruption) new with water and oil (varnish), he is evading (punishment) by means of buffoonery.
  • He has displayed the scabbard and concealed the sword: he must be tortured without mercy.
  • Unless you break the pistachio or walnut, it will neither reveal its heart (kernel) nor give any oil.
  • Do not listen to this skilful defence of his; look at his trembling and his (pallid) colour.
  • God hath said, ‘Their mark is on their faces,’ for the mark is an informer and tell-tale. 2565
  • This ocular evidence is opposed to that story (told by Dalqak), for this (whole race of) mankind are moulded of evil.”
  • “O Sáhib,” cried Dalqak, wailing and sobbing, “do not endeavour to shed the blood of this miserable wretch.
  • Many a thought and fancy that is not real and true comes into the mind, O Prince.
  • Verily, some suspicion is a sin, O Vizier: injustice is not right, especially (when it is done) to a poor man.
  • The king does not chastise one who vexes him: wherefore should he chastise one who makes him laugh?” 2570
  • The words of the Sáhib (vizier) impressed the king, and he resolved to clear up this deceit and imposture.
  • “Take Dalqak to prison,” he said, “and pay no attention to his wheedling and hypocrisy.
  • Beat him, empty-bellied like a drum (as he is), that like a drum he may give us information.
  • (Whether) the drum is wet or dry or full or empty, its sound informs us of everything.
  • (Beat him) in order that he may be compelled to declare the secret, so that these (apprehensive) hearts will be reassured. 2575
  • Since the shining truth is (a cause of) tranquillity, the heart will not be calmed by lying words.
  • Falsehood is like a (piece of stick or) straw, and the heart like a mouth: a straw never becomes (quietly) hidden in the mouth.
  • So long as it is there, he (who is annoyed by it) keeps moving his tongue, in order that thereby he may eject it from his mouth.
  • Especially, when a straw (blown) by the wind falls into the eye, the eye begins to water and shut and open.
  • We, therefore, now kick (out) this (man of) straw, in order that our mouth and eye may be delivered from (the disquiet caused by) this straw.” 2580
  • Dalqak said, “O King, be calm: do not scratch the face of clemency and forgiveness.