Physician. This trouble is merely the consequence of old age.
Old Man. My eyesight is quite dim, oh, sage physician!
Physician. Nothing but old age, oh, wise man!
Old Man. Oh, you idiot, always harping on the same theme! Is this all you know of the science of medicine? Fool, does not your reason tell you that God has assigned a remedy to every ailment? You are a stupid ass, and with your paltry stock of learning are still fumbling in the mire!
Physician. Oh, you dotard past sixty, know, then, that even this rage and fury is due to old age!
From Abu Ishak we glean this delightful bit of parody on Hafiz.
| PARODY ON HAFIZ | |
| Hafiz | Abu-Ishak |
| Will those who can transmute dust into gold by looking at it ever give a sidelong glance at us? | Will those who sell cooked sheep’s-head give us a sidelong glance, when they open their pots in the morning? |
| The beauteous Turk, who is the cause of death to her lovers, has to-day gone forth intoxicated. Let us see from whose eyes the heart’s blood shall begin to flow. | The cook has to-day bought onions for giving a relish to minced meat. Let us see, now, from whose eyes tears shall begin to flow. |
| I have a yearning for seclusion and peace. But, oh! those narcissus-like eyes! The commotion they cause me is inexpressible! | I have an inclination for abstinent living and observing fasts. But, oh! in what a tempting way doth the roasted lamb wink at me! |
| No one should give up his heart and his religion in the expectation of faithfulness from his sweetheart. My having done so has resulted to me in lifelong repentance. And from | No one should partake of sauce to accompany sweetened rice colored with saffron. My having done so has given me cause for infinite regret. |
Do-Pyazah
THESE DEFINITIONS
Angel. A hidden telltale.
King. The idlest man in the country.