A literary history of Persia

256 THE GOLDEN AGE OF ISLAMdecide "), gaztr in the Talmud. Of the history of this officeal-Fakhrf x gives the following account :" Before entering more fully into this matter, we must needs say afew prefatory words on this subject. I say, then, that the Wazir is.,,., one who is intermediate between the king andAl-Fakhn on the&.history of this his subjects, so there must needs be in his natureone aspect which accords with the natures of kings,and another aspect which accords with the natures of thecommon folk, so that he may deal with both classes in such amanner as to secure for himself acceptance and affection while;trustworthiness and sincerity constitute his capital. It is said,'When the ambassador plays the traitor, policy avails naught ; 'andit is also said, 'The man belied hath no opinion ;'" so it isimportantfor him to be efficient and vigorous, and necessary that he shouldpossess intelligence, wariness, cunning, and resolution. It is likewiseneedful that he should be generous and hospitable, that therebyhe may incline men's necks to his yoke, and that his thanks may beon the tongues of all ;nor can he dispense with gentleness, patience,stability in affairs, clemency, dignity, gravity, and an authoritativeaddress. . . . Now the rules of the Wazirate were not fixed, nor thelaws which governit set in order, before the dynasty of the'Abbasids. Before that time its rules were indeterminate and itslaws unsettled ; nay, rather each king was surrounded by certaincourtiers and retainers, and, when any important crisis arose, hetook counsel of such as were most sagacious and wise in council,each of whom, therefore, acted as Wazir. But when the 'Abbasidscame to the throne, the laws of the Wazirate were fixed, and theWazir was named Wazir, having hitherto been entitled Secretary(Kdtib], or Counsellor (Mushir). Lexicographers say that u-azarmeans 'a place of refuge,' 'an asylum,' and that wizr meansburden,' so that Wazir is either derived from wizr, in which case'it means that he ' bears the burden,' or from wazar, in which caseit means that the king has recourse to his judgment and counsel."But the office of Wazir,KThe C a Cofficefor all the power and dignity whichit carried with it,was a perilous one. Abu: Muslim, entitled Aminu All Muhammad, "theTrusted Agent of the Family of Muhammad," was,*Ed. Ahlwardt, pp. 179-181."I.e., No heed is paid to the views or statements of one who has beenproved a liar.