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Their vestiges, after that they once did do, Forewarn us that we in their footsteps must ensue.
O thou who haltst by the dwellings for news of folk Who have doffed their state and bidden their power adieu,
Enter this palace, for there is the last-left news Of lords in the dust who gathered, a puissant crew.
Death smote them and rent them asunder, and in the dust They lost what they erst did gather with such ado.
’Tis as they had set their burdens down to rest In haste, then mounted and fared on their way anew.
When the Amir heard this, he wept till he lost his senses and said, ‘There is no god but God, the Living, the Eternal, who ceaseth not!’ Then he entered the palace and was confounded at its beauty and the goodliness of its ordinance. He diverted himself awhile by viewing the figures and images therein, till he came to another door, over which also were written verses, and said to the Sheikh, ‘Come, read me these.’ So he came forward and read as follows:
How many in their halls have halted for a day Of old, then taken leave and fared upon their way!
They saw what from the shifts of fortune did befall Others than they, therein who lighted down to stay.
That which they stored they shared among themselves and left To others to enjoy its sweets and passed away.
With what delight arrayed were they, what dainties ate And drank! But eaten now within the dust are they.
At this the Amir wept sore; the world grew pale before his eyes and he said, ‘Verily, we were created for a mighty matter!’ Then they proceeded to explore the palace and found it desert and void of living thing, its chambers and dwelling-places laid waste and desolate. In the midst stood a lofty pavilion, with a dome rising high into the air, and about it were four hundred tombs, builded of yellow marble. The Amir drew near unto these and behold, amongst them was a great tomb, wide and long,
