Pega 
Of Ferdoosee. 9 
Would in the end betray its nature, 
And would still produce bitter fruit. (5) 
If you pass thro’ the shop of the seller of am- 
ber, 
Your garment will retain its odour ; 
If you enter the forge of the blacksmith, 
You will see nothing but blackness: 
That evil should proceed from an evil dispo- 
sition is not wonderful, 
For thou canst not wash out the darkness 
from the night. 
Yet, hadst thou had a regard for thine own 
reputation, 
Thou would’st not have injured the poet, 
For the injured poet can complain, 
And his satire remains for ever. 
O King Mahmood, conqueror of regions! 
If thou fearest not me, at least fear God; 
For in the court of the Most High will I 
pour out my complaint, 
Bowing down, and scattering dust upon my 
head. 
(5) Sir William Jones, in his Poeseos Asiaticas Commentarii, has 
quoted and translated a part of this satire. In his copy, these verses 
are followed by several others, containing parapbrases of the above 
sentiment. They are not to be found, either in my MS. or in that 
of the Cheetham Library, and have probably been added by another 
band.—Vide Works. Vol. VI. p. 309. Oct. Ed. 
B 
