Vis and Ramin

THE FOURTH LETTER OF VIS TO RAMIN 265
"Thus they say to me: 'Since he holds a star as his
lover, hold thou the moon as thine. Die not through
thinking on a fickle lover. His perfidy was manifested at
the beginning. He has played thee false ; have no further
care for him.' However true this may be, and thou hast
denied God in regard to me, by thy sun I have not the
power to do it. Neither can my heart feel love for any
other save thee. And since I have so much happiness
from my lover, why should I seek anything
else? The
grief and passion I have hitherto gone through is sufficient
for me. I cannot endure another such torture, nor will I.
I have not dyed my hands so fair a colour that I should
desire (to dye) my feet also. I have seen no such profit
from love that I should invest my capital in grief. I am
become weary of all amorous and pretty people. I have
written a binding charter. 1
I trust my heart to Fate, and
to the remembrance of him who extinguished my fire.
" I am that bird, which for its prudence is called Zirak, 2
and now I am caught with both legs in a net. 3
Like a
merchant I embarked on the sea, confident that I could
cross in safety and reach the realm of pearls. Long is my
tale. I might tell it all, and I shall be drowned in the sea.
I fear the waves 4 on the voyage. I see no rest, | and
my 298
stock-in-trade 6 is lost. Now with uplifted hand I only
pray to God for this, that He would deliver me from this
fearful tempest, and as long as I live I shall never venture
on the sea
love that I
again. I am so consumed by thy wrath and
swear I will never let fickle men near me, nor
shall I have hope in any. I take God alone as mine aid
and helper, and to Him I commit myself."
1
Sigeli (? Latin, sicjillum) letter patent.
3 Zirdk1 pelican.
MaJche, 294, 824.
ZuirCln. 5 Sat'havno,816 t 896, 486.