Which had not sent up its petitions to heaven

The Durwesh

A Durwesh having a pressing want, somebody said to him, “Such as 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. 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 you 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 your prompt payment.

Drought at Alexandria

There happened one year uncle a drought at Alexandria that men could 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 travelers. 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.”