ng by him. Inasmuch as contentment is the enjoyment of a
kingdom, the dervish did not raise his head, nor show him the least mark
of attention; and, inasmuch as sovereignty is regal pomp, the king took
offence, and said, "The tribe of ragged mendicants resemble brute
beasts, and have neither grace nor good manners." The vizir stepped up
to him, and said: "O generous man! the sovereign of the universe has
passed by you; why did you not do him homage, and discharge the duty of
obeisance?" He answered and said, "Speak to your sovereign, saying:
Expect service from that person who will court your favor; let him
moreover know that kings are meant for the protection of the people, and
not the people for the subjects of kings.--Though it be for their
benefit that his glory is exalted, yet is the king but the shepherd of
the poor. The sheep are not intended for the service of the shepherd,
but the shepherd is appointed to tend the sheep.--To-day thou mayest
observe one man proud from prosperity, another with a heart sore from
adversity; have patience for a few days till the dust of the grave can
consume the brain of that vain and foolish head. When the record of
destiny came to take effect, the distinction of liege and subject
disappeared. Were a person to turn up the dust of the defunct, he could
not distinguish that of the rich man from the poor."

These sayings made a strong impression upon the king; he said: "Ask me
for something." He replied: "What I desire is, that you will not trouble
me again!" The king said, "Favor me with a piece of advice." He
answered: "Attend to them now that the good things of this life are in
thy hands; for wealth and dominion are passing from one hand into
another."

* * * * *

XXX

A king ordered an innocent person to be put to death. The man said,
"Seek not your own hurt by venting any anger you may entertain against
me." The king asked, "How?" He replied, "The pain of this punishment
will continue with me for a moment, but the sin of it will endure with
you forever.--The period of this life passes by like the wind of the
desert. Joy and sorrow, beauty and deformity, equally pass away. The
tyrant vainly thought that he did me an injury, but round his neck it
clung and passed over me."

The king profited by this advice, spared his life, and asked his
forgiveness.

XXXI

The cabinet ministers of Nushirowan were debating an important affair of
state, a