The Sages Question Bozorgmehr

From D13.20.3, The Second Banquet. It illustrates D13.20.3.5–16:

D13.20.3.5
Young Bozorgmehr came with that learned train,Exalted, clear of heart and bright of brain.
D13.20.3.6
The sages gathered near the royal chair,And turned to Bozorgmehr, whose gifts were rare.
D13.20.3.7
Whenever the Shah beheld that gifted youth,His face grew bright, rejoicing in his truth.
D13.20.3.8
One of the wisest questioned him on fate:“What are its traits, and who ordained its state?”
D13.20.3.9
He answered, “One may toil through every hour,And strive with all his wisdom, all his power,
D13.20.3.10
Yet find his livelihood a scanty flow,The water in his channel running slow.
D13.20.3.11
A fool may rest where fairest fortunes shone,While roses scatter round him newly blown.
D13.20.3.12
Such is the lot that Fortune may ordain;No toil can break the bounds of its domain.
D13.20.3.13
The All-wise Lord, the Nourisher of men,Has shaped the star that moves beyond our ken.”
D13.20.3.14
Another asked, “What man attains high place?In whom does greatness show its noble face?”
D13.20.3.15
He said, “The man whose learning leads the way,Who puts it to good use from day to day.”
D13.20.3.16
Another asked, “What virtues make men good?Who wins the world’s gifts as a noble should?”