186
THE QUATRAINS OF
276.
O Thou! who know'st the secret thoughts of all,
In time of sorest need who aidest all,
Grant me repentance, and accept my plea,
O Thou who dost accept the pleas of all!
277.
I saw a bird perched on the walls of Tús,
Before him lay the skull of Kai Kawús,
And thus he made his moan, "Alas, poor king!
Thy drums are hushed, thy 'larums have rung truce."
278.
Ask not the chances of the time to be,
And for the past, 'tis vanished, as you see;
This ready-money breath set down as gain.
Future and past concern not you or me.
276. C. L. N. A. I. J. Note tashdid on rabb dropped.
277. C. L. N. A. Tús was near Nishapúr.