ABSTRACT
When Sháh Bahrám returned He sat in peace upon the throne, but mused Of death and of ill fortune till his heart Ached and his face grew wan. He bade a scribeA noble archmage who was his vizírTo come to him and bade him to inspect The treasury and reckon up the gold, The gems, and raiment, for astrologers Had told him, and the words had troubled him :—
“ Thy life will last three score of years, the fourth score Will make thee weep at death,” and he had said :— “ The first score years will I devote to pleasure, C. 1583 Will set joy as a shoot within my soul, And inthe next will justify the world By equity and liberality In public and in private. I will leave No corner waste and will provide for all. In the third score I will entreat the Lord ; Perchance He will direct me on my way.”
