
Kay Qobad's Last Counsel to Kavus
From B3.5, Kay Qobad Goes to Istakhr of Pars. It illustrates B3.5.25–34:
- B3.5.25At last he knew that death was drawing near;Life’s green leaf paled and withered through the year.
- B3.5.26He called Kay Kavus, counsel to bestow,On justice, giving, and the path to go:
- B3.5.27“My baggage now is packed; my road is done;Leave me the coffin; take the throne, my son.
- B3.5.28It seems I only now from Alborz came,With joyful friends beside me, still the same.
- B3.5.29Trust not in Fortune, sudden in her flight;The man who serves her cannot reason right.
- B3.5.30Be just and pure of heart in all you do;The world beyond will yield its share to you.
- B3.5.31But if greed draws your judgment far astray,You draw the sharpened sword yourself that day.
- B3.5.32That sword first wounds the hand that drew its breath,Then yields you to your foe and leads to death.
- B3.5.33Beyond this life your dwelling shall be fire,While here grief answers every false desire.”
- B3.5.34He spoke, then left this fleeting world behind,And passed beyond the reach of humankind.
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