Gulistan or flower garden / Sadi ; translated with an essay by James Ross and a note upon the translator by Charles Sayle.

  • Saʻdī.
Date:
[between 1900 and 1999?]
Catalogue details

Licence: In copyright

Credit: Gulistan or flower garden / Sadi ; translated with an essay by James Ross and a note upon the translator by Charles Sayle. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    spread all over the wide extent of the earth ; the amicable writing reed of his narrations, which man- kind are devouring as they would sugar-cane; and his newest literary fragments, which have the credit of bills of exchange [and bank-notes]-—-all this cannot be ascribed to any superiority of his learning and wit; but that the Lord Paramount, Axis of revolving Time, confirmed Successor of Solomon, Defender of the Faithful, mighty King and potent Sovereign, Mozuffar-u’d-din Abubakr, son of Saad, son of Zungi, the Shadow of the most high God on earth, approve of him, 0 Providence, and gratify his wishes ! has regarded with him an eye of patronage, has bestowed upon him his exalted commendation, and has shown him unfeigned attachment; consequently, everybody, for his sake, whether noble or plebeian, is well inclined, for mankind readily adopt the faith of their princes :—“ Ever since thou didst deign to look graciously on wretched me, my merits are become manifest as the sun. Verily, were this servant covered all over with blemishes, every vice that the King might approve of would become a virtue.—Engaged one day in the public bath, I had a piece of scented clay handed me by my mistress. I addressed it, saying: Art thou ambergris or musk, for I am charmed with thy grateful odour? It replied, I was a worthless piece of clay; but for a while associated with the rose: thence I partook of the sweetness of my companion ; otherwise I am that vile piece of earth I seem. ”— My God! benefit Mussulmans, or the faithful, by 747