Penny Dreadfuls, 1900 · page 126 of 142
Rubaiyat of Omar Khayyam, and the Salaman and Absal of Jami — page 126: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
# Page Description This is a page of running verse poetry, numbered 100, from a work titled "Salaman and Absal." The text consists of quoted lines (indicated by opening quotation marks) that appear to be moral or political advice addressed to a ruler. The speaker counsels the king to govern mercifully, avoid tyranny and overtaxing his people, treat his subjects like a shepherd tends his flock, and appoint wise and trustworthy advisors (Vizyrs) who do not exploit the realm through extortion or usury. The passage emphasizes virtues of compassion, justice, and proper governance.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
100 SALAMAN AND ABSAL. ee ‘“ By Mercy rather to right Order turn ‘* Confusion, and Disloyalty to Love. ‘“ In thy provision for the Realm’s estate, ‘“ And for the Honour that becomes a King, ‘Drain not thy People’s purse—the Tyranny ‘* Which Thee enriches at thy Subject’s cost, ‘“ Awhile shall make thee strong; but in the end ‘ Shall bow thy neck beneath thy People’s hate, ‘‘ And lead thee with the Robber down to Hell. “Thou art a Shepherd, and thy Flock the People, ‘To help and save, not ravage and destroy ; ‘“ For which is for the other, Flock or Shepherd P ‘‘ And join with thee True men to keep the Flock— ‘* Dogs, 1£ you will—but trusty—head in leash, ‘““ Whose teeth are for the Wolf, not for the Lamb, ‘And least of all the Wolf’s accomplices. ‘“ For Shahs must have Vizyrs—but be they Wise ‘* And Trusty—knowing well the Realm’s estate— ‘ Knowing how far to Shah and Subject bound ‘On either hand—not by extortion, nor ‘“ By usury wrung from the People’s purse, ‘“* Feeding their Master, and themselves (with whom ‘* Hnough is apt enough to make rebel) “To such a surfeit feeding as feeds Hell. ‘* Proper in soul and body be they—pitiful “To Poverty—hospitable to the Saint— Pe a ET ee 4 GOmG OOO cS. (