Vis and Ramin

VIRO ADMONISHES VIS 111
always shouting like a brawler in drunken revelry. His
clothes are constantly given in pledge to the wine-grower, the
Jews are his comrades, 1
prodigals are his boon companions.
I know not where thou didst learn to know him, and wherefore
thou hast thus become enamoured of him. Think now
of modesty and the fear of God, and do not in this anything
whereby thou mayst cause us to be filled with shame. A
mother like Shahro, and a brother like me, will not suffer
ourselves to be shamed and disgraced by thine evil deeds.
Follow not always the wish of the devil, and cast not away
this world and eternity for Ramin. Though Ramin seem
to thee like immortality, consider that God's Paradise is
more pleasant. I speak what is better for thee. Now know
thou, by thy God and by thy husband, if thou listenest not
to what I say, I have no resource but to cast thee off."
As Viro spoke, Vis wept pitifully, and said :
" All that thou sayest is true. But what should it avail
me to shut the door? All that I had, the robber has taken
away. My soul has not fallen into the fire in such a way
that advice from any would have availed it. My heart is
not broken by love in such a manner that a skilful man
may know how to bind it up. I have given my heart to him
after such a fashion that no part of it remains to me any
longer. God's decree was fulfilled on me. What was to
be, was ! Now talk and regret avail us not. | I love Ramin, 125
BO that I can never be cut off from him to all eternity.
'
thou askest me :
Dost thou prefer Paradise or Ramin ?' by
thy sun, I prefer Ramin. For the sight of him seems
Paradise to me."
When Viro heard this rash discourse from Vis, he no
longer cast his 2
pearls before a sow he ; went out and left
her there. 8 He committed the affair, of Moabad and Vis
into the hands of God.
Then the Shahinshah went forth to sport, and played in
the lists. They were divided into bands on either side:
Moabad and twenty chosen men on this side, and Viro
1
Arip'hi, 38. B., 1148.
* Graf, " Perlen In don Staub."
, 119, 184.
If