Penny Dreadfuls, 1900 · page 88 of 142
Rubaiyat of Omar Khayyam, and the Salaman and Absal of Jami — page 88: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
# Page Description This is a page of running prose poetry from "Salaman and Absal," presenting a narrative dialogue. A Dervish responds to a man's desperate plea for help by miraculously summoning a boy—described as "a musky Fawn of China"—who becomes a wayward youth addicted to drinking, gambling, and violence. The passage describes the boy's scandalous behavior in the city (insulting women, drawing daggers, brawling) and notes that despite the city's talk and the father's attempts at counsel and threats, nothing moves the boy until his "desperate Father" (the passage cuts off here). The text appears to illustrate a moral tale about parental suffering and a child's depravity.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
Fe pee SALAMAN AND ABSAL. Se ‘“ Unremembered pass away.” But the Dervish said-—“ Consider ; ‘““ Wisely let the matter rest In theshands of ALLAH wholly, “ Who, whatever we are after, ‘“ Understands our business best.”’ Still the man persisted— Master, T shall perish in my longing : ‘“* Help, and set my prayer a-going !” Then the Dervish rais’'d his hand— From the mystic Hunting-land Of Darkness to the Father's arms A musky Fawn of China drew — A Boy—who, when the shoot of Passion In his Nature planted grew, Took to drinking, dicing, drabbing. From a corner of the house-top Til-insulting honest women, Dagger-drawing on the husband ; And for many a city-brawl Still before the Cadi swummon’d, Still the Father pays for all. Day and night the youngster’s doings Such—the city’s talk and scandal ; Neither counsel, threat, entreaty, Moved him—till the desperate Father 1ClDOO@ cS, (