Thousand & One Nights: 146th Night: Lame Young Man & Baghdad Barber -8

Tale By The Lame Young Man:

I said to the barber, "For God's sake, spare me your chatter, for I am late."
He laughed, and said, "There is no god but God. Glory be to him who changed not. My Lord, I must conclude that your illness has changed you, you have become foolish, while people usually become 
wiser as they grow older. I have heard the poet:

Comfort the poor, if you can
God's recompense will be yours.
Want is dire affliction, hard to cure, 
But money can improve a sorry sight. Meet your fellows, wish them peace,
Show your parents due reverence.
How often they waited you sleepless, Praying to God to keep his vigilance.

In any case, you are excused, but I worry about you. You should know that your father and grandfather did nothing without consulting me, for it is said, 'He who takes counsel shall not be disappointed,' and 'He who has no mentor will never be a mentor.'

And the poet says:

Before you proceed to do anything, 
Consult a mature man ere venturing.

Indeed, you will find none more experienced than I, and I am here standing on my feet, ready to serve you. I am not annoyed with you; why should you be annoyed with me?"

I said, "By God, you have talked too much; all I want from you is to shave my head and be done with it." 

He said, "I know that my lord is displeased with me, but I do not hold it against you." 

I said to him, "My appointment is drawing near; for the sake of Almighty God, fellow, shave my head and go."  And I tore my clothes. He took the razor, and sharpening it, came up to me, shaved a few hairs, then held his hand back and said, "My lord, hate is of devil, for the poet says:
Be careful, and restrain your wish;
Be merciful to all, it will be returned;
The hand of God is above every hand
Every tyrant shall another know.

"My lord, I don't think you know my worth, for you are unaware of my knowledge, wisdom and merit."

I replied, "Stop meddling, for you have presented me enough."

He replied, " My lord, it seems to me that you are in a hurry."

I replied, "Yes, yes, yes! 

"Don't be in a hurry, for haste is the devil and leads to regret. I am worried about you, and I would like you to let me know what it is you intend to do, for I fear that it might prove harmful to you. There are still three hours left to the end of the prayer. However, I don't wish to be in doubt about this but I must know for certain, the exact time, for speech, when it is conjectural, is flawed, in one like me, whose merit is plain, and known among men; and it does not benefit me to base my statements on conjecture, as do the common sort of astrologers."

Morning overtook and Shahrazad lapsed into silence.









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