XLIX: How handsome soever thou art, thou art not…

How handsome soever thou art, thou art not Canaan's Joseph!
However wise thou art, with Lokman thou canst never compare!

Notwithstanding thy pomp and state, and that thou art the ruler of the land,
Remember well, in thy heart, what a magnificent king was Suliman.

How many lovely-faced ones--how many sages and princes have there been?
As they came, so they departed--in the world, do even their names remain?

A good name will remain behind--naught else soever will survive:
The wicked for evil are remembered--the good, for their virtues, in the memory live.

Shouldst thou hear of Hujaj, thou wilt also hear the name of Noshirwan--
For justice, the unbeliever is venerated--for tyranny, the believer is cursed.

If thou desire to practise goodness, now is the time, whilst of the living accounted--
There will be neither advantage nor profit, shouldst thou regret its neglect, in the grave.

The infidel is that man, who constantly followeth after the flesh's lusts--
The true-believer is he, who is ever anxious about his religion and his faith.

There is not the least doubt in this, that all will fall victims unto death;
But in this there is uncertainty, as to who will obtain a graveyard to lie in.

Happy, truly happy shall he be, who may die with piety's blessings attending--
A grave in honour he obtaineth, and over him the blessed book is read.

The season of youth hath passed--now, O Khushhal, old age hath come!
Then leave thou all other things, and the equipments of the grave prepare!