such as thou hast enumerated them are countless, but they regard expecially five classes of men: Firstly, a merchant, who possesses, in consequence of his wealth and power, graceful male and female slaves, and quick-handed assistants, alights every day in another town, and every night in another place, has recreation every moment, and sometimes enjoys the delights of the world. A rich man is not a Stranger in mountain, desert, or solitude; wherever he goes he pitches a tent, and makes a sleeping-place; whilst he who is destitute of the goods of this world must be in his own country a stranger, and unknown.
“Secondly, a scholar, who is, for the pleasantness of his speech, the power of his eloquence and the fund of his instruction, waited upon and honoured wherever he goes. The presence of a learned man is like pure gold, whose power and price is known wherever he goes. An ignorant fellow of noble descent resembles Shahruâ,[1] which nobody accepts in a foreign country.
“Thirdly, handsome fellows with whom the souls of pious men are inclined to commingle, because it has been said that a little beauty is better than much wealth. An attractive face is also said to be a salve to despondent hearts and the key to locked doors, wherefore the society of such a person is everywhere known to be very acceptable. A beautiful person meets with honour and respect everywhere, although perhaps driven away in anger by father and mother. I have seen a peacock feather in the leaves of the Qurân. I said : ‘I see thy position is higher than thy deserts.’ It said: ‘Hush! Whoever is endowed with beauty, wherever he places his foot, hands are held out to receive it!’
- ↑ Shahruâ is said to have been a tyrant who issued a debased currency in his country, calling it after his own name, but the coins were not accepted anywhere else; others assert that Shahruâ means leather money.
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