The Welcome

Faríd-Uddín Attar (c. 1145–c. 1220)

From the Persian by Edward Fitzgerald

ONE night Shah Mahmúd, who had been of late

Somewhat distempered with Affairs of State,

Strolled through the Streets disguised, as wont to do—

And coming to the Baths, there on the Flue

Saw the poor Fellow who the Furnace fed

Sitting beside his Water-jug and Bread.

Mahmúd stept in—sat down—unasked took up

And tasted of the untasted Loaf and Cup,

Saying within himself, “Grudge but a bit,

And, by the Lord, your Head shall pay for it!”

So, having rested, warmed and satisfied

Himself without a Word on either side,

At last the wayward Sultan rose to go.

And then at last his Host broke silence—“So?—

Art satisfied? Well, Brother, and Day

Or Night, remember, when you come this Way

And want a bit of Provender—why, you

Are welcome, and if not—why, welcome too.”—

The Sultan was so tickled with the whim

Of this quaint Entertainment and of him

Who offered it, that many a Night again

Stoker and Shah forgathered in that vein—

Till, the poor Fellow having stood the Test

Of true Good-fellowship, Mahmúd confessed

One Night the Sultan that had been his Guest:

And in requital of the scanty Dole

The poor Man offered with so large a soul,

Bid him ask any Largess that he would—

A Throne—if he would have it, so he should.

The Poor Man kissed the Dust, and “All,” said he,

“I ask is what and where I am to be;

If but the Shah from time to time will come

As now, and see me in the lowly Home

His presence makes a Palace, and my own

Poor Flue more royal than another’s Throne.”