Page:Persian Literature (1900), vol. 1.djvu/46
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FIRDUSI
Man seemed immortal, sickness was unknown,And life rolled on in happiness and joy.
After the lapse of seven hundred years, however, inordinate ambition inflamed the heart of Jemshíd, and, having assembled all the illustrious personages and learned men in his dominions before him, he said to them:—“Tell me if there exists, or ever existed, in all the world, a king of such magnificence and power as I am?” They unanimously replied:—“Thou art alone, the mightiest, the most victorious: there is no equal to thee!” The just God beheld this foolish pride and vanity with displeasure, and, as a punishment, cast him from the government of an empire into a state of utter degradation and misery.
All looked upon the throne, and heard and sawNothing but Jemshíd, he alone was king,Absorbing every thought; and in their praise,And adoration of that mortal man,Forgot the worship of the great Creator.Then proudly thus he to his nobles spoke,Intoxicated with their loud applause,“I am unequalled, for to me the earthOwes all its science, never did existA sovereignty like mine, beneficentAnd glorious, driving from the populous landDisease and want. Domestic joy and restProceed from me, all that is good and greatWaits my behest; the universal voiceDeclares the splendor of my government,Beyond whatever human heart conceived,And me the only monarch of the world.”—Soon as these words had parted from his lips,Words impious, and insulting to high heaven,His earthly grandeur faded—then all tonguesGrew clamorous and bold. The day of JemshídPassed into gloom, his brightness all obscured.What said the Moralist? “When thou wert a kingThy subjects were obedient, but whoeverProudly neglects the worship of his God,Brings desolation on his house and home.”—And when he marked the insolence of his people,He knew the wrath of Heaven had been provoked,And terror overcame him.