What are the bounties of the Nile to thy munificence, Whose
fingers five extend to shower thy benefits on all?
And in an engrossing hand the following:
There is no writer but he shall pass away: Yet what he writes
shall last for ever and aye.
Write, therefore, nought but that which shall gladden thee, When
as it meets thine eye on the Judgment Day.
And in a transcribing hand the following:
When separation is to us by destiny decreed And 'gainst the cruel
chance of Fate our efforts are in vain,
Unto the inkhorn's mouth we fly that, by the tongues of pens, Of
parting and its bitterness it may for us complain.
And in a large formal hand the following:
The regal state endureth not to any mortal man. If thou deny
this, where is he who first on earth held sway?
Plant therefore saplings of good deeds, whilst that thou yet art
great Though thou be ousted from thy stead, they shall not
pass away.
And in a court hand the following:
When thou the inkhorn op'st of power and lordship over men, Make
thou thine ink of noble thoughts and generous purpose; then
Write gracious deeds and good therewith, whilst that thy power
endures. So shall thy virtues blazoned be at point of sword
and pen.
Then I gave the scroll to the officers, who took it and returned
with it to the King. When he saw it, no writing pleased him but
mine; so he said to his officers, "Go to the writer of these
lines and dress him in a splendid robe; then mount him on a mule
and bring him to me with a band of music before him.
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