Vis and Ramin

MOABAD'S TALK WITH HIS MOTHER 141
done nothing but laugh and rejoice. Shall I approach
him? I shall be torn to pieces like a wild goat by the
1
teeth of a hound I So much grief and mischance as
afflicted us sufficed him not ; why did he then wish to
burn us with fire ? He is not God that he should give us
hell. Now, grieve not for me. Here in Re I am healthy
and well. I rejoice greatly in Vis's company. I send this
letter secretly that thou mayst be glad in my welfare.
Grieve not, the sorrow and joy of the world are fleeting.
To-day I send thee news of me, and henceforth I shall let
thee know how I am. Even such time shall I wander a
stranger in the lands until Moabad's place remains Moabadless,
then God and | my fate will set me on his throne. 160
He has not drunk the water of immortality, nor is his soul
2 and if anything happens and
bound upon the mountains ;
he die not, by thy
love ! I will assemble the armies and
drag him from the throne, and Vis and I shall sit upon it.
We cannot long remain thus. Mark my words, for this
thing will soon happen. Vis sends thee much greeting
and homage."
When his mother read Ramin's letter, she rejoiced and
gave God thanks ; and upon this joy Moabad arrived next
day, came home and gave away much. Thus there is no
trust to be put in Fate, for this aged mother on account
of her children sometimes wept and sometimes rejoiced.
Boast not thyself of joy, lest thy boast prove idle, and
bewail not Fate ; until it (Fate) be agreeable, complaint is
in vain.
When Shah Moabad had rested at home for a week, he
held a court, and then soon dismissed it ; like a mourner
he sat in continual sadness. One night his mother said to
him:
" Why art thou always sad, so that thou rejoicest not for
one moment ? What afflicts thee so much ? Thou art
master of Eran and T'huran ;
i Avaxa, 184.
from China 3 to Qirovan 4 all
* ? like the deathless Prometheus, the Amiran (Ahriman) of
Georgian legend.
Chin, 26, 166.
4 ? Kerouau In Tunisia.