XXIII: The skirt of fortune and prosperity cannot be…

The skirt of fortune and prosperity cannot be seized by force!
Is the blind man without reproach, if he apply antimony to his eyes?

What is wealth, indeed? It is like unto a beautiful bride,
In an impotent-fellow's house, where her life is in torment.

Let it not be, that every bad rider should mount fortune's steed:
If it be ridden by any one, at least a good horseman let him be.

From a sorry, low-bred pony, another wretched one is produced;
'Tis from the high-bred horses of the course alone, that noble steeds come.

That into my dwelling, in the first place, such animals came,
My luck must have been bad, from the beginning of time.

These ponies are mere puppets--may confusion seize them!
They create disturbance and tumult in the stable continually.

Like unto a good and worthy son in his father's dwelling,
A treasure of silver and gold in his house is not to be compared.

O God! thou hast given me a numerous progeny, and I am thankful;
But let the fame of their goodness resound in every city and town!

They, who stir up enmity between brothers, are recreant and unworthy:
Would to heaven they had learnt good, or had learnt naught besides!

Give both thine ears and eyes unto the appeals of Khushhal;
Since Bahram and Aeabid are, both of them, deaf and dumb!