A literary history of Persia

DOWN TO A.D. 1000 469composed this fragment, in the sentiments of which the signsof manly courage are apparent and evident :" They ask me why fine robes J do not wear,Nor covet stately lent with carpets rare.'Midst clash of arms, what boots the minstrel's power t'Midst rush of steeds, what place for rose-girt bower fNor wine nor sweet-lipped Sdqi aught availWhere blood is spattered o'er the coats of mail.Arms, horse for me banquet and bower enow,Tulip and lilymine the dart and bow."The following quatrain reproaching Heaven for itsunkindness is also ascribed to him :" O blue to look on, not in essence blue,A Fire art than, thoughlike a Smoke to view.E'en from thy birth thine ears were deaf to prayer,Nor wrath nor protest aught avail with you."More important as a patron of letters, if not as a poet, wasthe Ziyarid prince of Tabaristan, Qabiisb.Washmgfr,entitled SliarnsiiI-Ma'all ("the Sun of the Heights" reignedA.D. 976-1012). To him al-Binin{ dedicated his "Chronologyof Ancient Nations " (al-Atharul-bdqiya mina l-^uruni 1 1~khullya^ edited and translated into English by Dr. Sachau), inthe preface of which work he thus speaks of him (Sachau'stranslation, p. 2) :"How wonderfully hath He whose Name is to be exalted andextolled combined with the glory of his noble extraction 1 thegraces of his generous character, with his valiant soul all laudablequalities, such as piety and righteousness, carefulness in defendingand observing the rites of religion, justice and equity, humility andbeneficence, firmness and determination, liberality and gentleness,the talent for ruling and governing, for managing and deciding, andother qualities which no fancy could comprehend and no mortalenumerate !"1This pedigree, given in full by al-Biruni (p. 47 of Sachau's translation),traces his lineage to the Sasanian King Qubadh, the father ofAnushirwan.