“Listen: this story’s one you ought to know,
You’ll reap the consequence of what you sow.
This fleeting world is not the world where we
Are destined to abide eternally:
And for the sake of an unworthy throne
You let the devil claim you for his own.
I’ve few days left here, I’ve no heart for war,
I cannot strive and struggle any more,
But hear an old man’s words: the heart that’s freed
From gnawing passion and ambitious greed
Looks on kings’ treasures and the dust as one……..”
Abolqasem Ferdowsi, Shahnameh: The Persian Book of Kings
David A Lockwood 
a fine and elegant piece of wisdom
It is – good to see you back in the world.
David.
Wow!
This author was rather direct…… 🙂
David.
Oh, Cor! Love it! Goes right to the gut! Now gotta go find the rest of it…is there any particular edition for this translation? Perhaps Shelley’s inspiration?
‘My name is Ozymandias, king of kings:
Look on my works, ye Mighty, and despair!’
Nothing beside remains. Round the decay
Of that colossal wreck, boundless and bare
The lone and level sands stretch far away.’
From: Shahnameh: The Persian Book of Kings (Penguin Classics Deluxe Editions) Paperback.
Although I would love it in hardback: at over ₤300.00 that is not going to happen any time soon.
It is a very famous book (s) that for Persians seems to have the same respect that the Anglo Saxon Chronicles inspire in us. (just incase you didn’t know 🙂 )
It seems that Shelley was inspired by the statue of Ramesses II, but I have also seen a reference to Diodorus of Sicily a Greek historian.
Ozymandias: a great poem.
David.
No, I did not know that the Anglo Saxon chronicles are held in such high esteem! But now I do – just means more to go enjoy. I’ll chase the paperback…thru best friend Abe.
Ordered….$20
Ha – don’t go there: it will cost you 🙂 Like a sweet shop…..
Have you read any of the Icelandic sagas ? because they are also worth looking out for. Written in a similar manner to the Shahnameh were as the Chronicles tend to be dated observations.
See I told you it would cost you.
David.