Betrothed to a beautiful girl

There was an affectionate and amiable youth, who was betrothed to a beautiful girl. I have heard that, as they were sailing on the ocean, they fell together into a whirlpool. When the mariners went to the young man that they might catch his hand and save him from perishing, in the unhappy juncture he called aloud and pointed to his mistress from the midst of the waves, “Leave me, and take the hand of my beloved.” The whole world admired him from that speech; and when he was expiring he was heard to say, “Learn not tale of love from that faithless wretch who forgets his beloved in the hour of danger.” Thus ended the lives of those lovers.

Hearken and learn from those of experience j for Skdy is as conversant in the ways and custom of love, as the Arabic language is familiar at Baghdad. Fix your heart on the mistress whom you have chosen, and be blind to every other earthly object. If Leila and Mujnoon were now living, they might learn the history of love from this book.

ON IMBECILITY AND OLD AGE

I was engaged in a disputation with some learned men in the mosque of Damascus, when suddenly a young man, entering the gate, said, “Is there any one amongst you who understands the Persian language?” They pointed to me. I asked, what was the matter? He answered, “An old man, of a hundred and fifty years of age, is in the agonies of death, and says something in the Persian language which we do not comprehend. If you will have the goodness to take the trouble to go, you will obtain your reward: perhaps he may want to make his will? ” When I came to his pillow he said, “I was in hopes that I should spend the small remnant of my life in ease, but I can scarcely draw my breath. Alas that at the table of variegated life I ate a little, and they said it is enough.”

I explained to the Damasciens, in Arabic, the signification of the discourse. They wondered that at his advanced age he should grieve for worldly life. I then asked him, how he found himself? He replied, “What can I say? Have you not seen what pain he suffers who has one of his teeth drawn out of his mouth ; think then what must be the state in that moment when the soul is departing from this precious body.” I said, “ Dismiss from your imagination the thoughts of death, and let not apprehension overcome your constitution ; for the philosophers have said, ‘ Although the animal system be in full vigor, yet we ought not to rely on its continuance ; and on the other hand, although a disease be dangerous, yet it is no positive proof of approaching death.

If you will give me leave, I will send for a physician, that he may prescribe some medicine which may be the means of your recovery.” He replied, “Alas the master of the house is considering how to decorate his hall, whilst the foundation is in a state of decay. The skillful physician smites his hands together, when he sees the old man broken like a potsherd. The sick man was lamenting in agony, whilst an old woman was anointing his feet with a preparation of sandalwood. But when animal temperament is destroyed, neither amulets nor medicines are of any use.”