Although the language of Hind is sweet as sugar,

Yet sweeter is the fashion of Persian speech. 180

My mind was enchanted by its loveliness,

My pen became as a twig of the Burning Bush.

Because of the loftiness of my thoughts,

Persian alone is suitable to them.

O Reader, do not find fault with the wine-cup, 185

But consider attentively the taste of the wine.

FOOTNOTES:

[23] Jamshíd, one of the mythical Persian kings, is said to have possessed a marvellous cup in which the whole world was displayed to him.