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Kay Qobad's Last Counsel to Kavus

Kay Qobad's Last Counsel to Kavus

From B3.5, Kay Qobad Goes to Istakhr of Pars. It illustrates B3.5.25–34:

  • B3.5.25
    At last he knew that death was drawing near;Life’s green leaf paled and withered through the year.
  • B3.5.26
    He 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.
  • B3.5.28
    It seems I only now from Alborz came,With joyful friends beside me, still the same.
  • B3.5.29
    Trust not in Fortune, sudden in her flight;The man who serves her cannot reason right.
  • B3.5.30
    Be just and pure of heart in all you do;The world beyond will yield its share to you.
  • B3.5.31
    But if greed draws your judgment far astray,You draw the sharpened sword yourself that day.
  • B3.5.32
    That sword first wounds the hand that drew its breath,Then yields you to your foe and leads to death.
  • B3.5.33
    Beyond this life your dwelling shall be fire,While here grief answers every false desire.”
  • B3.5.34
    He spoke, then left this fleeting world behind,And passed beyond the reach of humankind.

In the picture

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