Penny Dreadfuls, 1900 · page 86 of 142
Rubaiyat of Omar Khayyam, and the Salaman and Absal of Jami — page 86: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
# Analysis This is a page of running prose from what appears to be a literary work titled "Salámán and Absál" (page 60). The text presents a monologue in which a ruler addresses a Sage, expressing his desire for a son to inherit his empire and continue his legacy. The ruler eloquently describes the blessing of having a son—as an heir, a companion in battle, a source of counsel, and a means of extending his name and influence beyond his own lifetime. A footnote identifies classical references (Plato, Aristotle) and mentions "Ten Intelligences." The passage concludes with a transitional line indicating the Sage is about to respond. This appears to be Victorian-era poetry or poetic drama rather than sensation fiction.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
i ! 60 SALAMAN AND ABSAL. . ee TTT As with a garment robed, he ruled alone ; Then found he nothing wanted to his heart Unless a Son, who, while he lived, might share, And, after him, his robe of Empire wear. And then he turned him to THE Saaz, and said : “ O Darling of the soul of Iriatun ;* “ To whom with all his school ARIstTo bows; ‘Yea, thou that an HLEVENTH to the TEN ‘‘ INTELLIGENCES addest: Thou hast read ‘‘ The yet unutter’d secret of my Heart, ‘¢ Answer—Of all that man desires of God “Is any blessing greater than a Son P ‘‘ Man’s prime Desire; by whom his name and he ‘‘ Shall live beyond himself; by whom his eyes ‘¢ Shine living, and his dust with roses blows. “A Foot for thee to stand on, and an Arm ‘To lean by; sharp in battle as a sword ; ‘“ Salt of the banquet-table; and a tower | “ Of salutary counsel in Divan ; ‘“ One in whose youth a Father shall prolong ‘“‘ His years, and in his strength continue strong.” When the shrewd Sace had heard THE S#HAH’S discourse 1 Tflatan, Plato: Aristo, Aristotle: both renowned in the East to this Day. For the Ten Intelligences, see Appendix. } Comicoooks.com