be loud in his praise.--In short, I underwent all manner of persecution
till within this week, that the tidings of the safe return of the
pilgrims reached us, when I got a release from my heavy durance and a
confiscation of my hereditary tenements." I said, "At that time you did
not listen to my admonition, when I warned you that the service of
princes is, like a voyage at sea, profitable but hazardous: you either
get a treasure or perish miserably.--The merchant gains the shore with
gold in both his hands, or a wave will one day leave him dead on its
beach."--Not deeming it generous any further to irritate a poor man's
wound with the asperity of reproach, or to sprinkle his sore with the
salt of harsh words, I made a summary conclusion in these two verses,
and said:--"Wert thou not aware that thou shouldst find fetters on thy
feet when thou wouldst not listen to the generous man's counsel? Thrust
not again thy finger into a scorpion's hole till thou canst endure the
pain of its sting."


XVII

I was the companion of a holy fraternity, whose manners were correct
from piety, and minds disciplined from probity. An eminent prince
entertained a high and respectful opinion of the worth of this
brotherhood, and had assigned it an endowment. Perhaps one of them
committed an act unworthy of the character of dervishes; for the good
opinion of that personage was forfeited, and the market of their support
shut. I wished that I could by any means re-establish the maintenance of
my friends, and attempted to wait on the great man; but his porter
opposed my entrance, and turned me away with rudeness. I excused him
conformably with what the witty have said:--"Till thou canst take an
introduction along with thee approach not the gate of a prince, vizir,