Sa di

Ch 05 On Love And Youth Story 06

I remember that one night a dear friend of mine entered when I jumped up in such a heedless way that the lamp was extinguished by my sleeve. A vision appeared in the night and by its appearance the darkness was illuminated. I was amazed at my luck exclaiming whence this felicity? He took a seat and began reproving me saying that when I beheld him I extinguished the lamp. I said: ‘I thought the sun had risen and wits have said: When an ugly person comes before the lamp Arise to him and pull him into the assembly But if it be a sugar-smiled, sweet-lipped one Pull him by the sleeve and extinguish the lamp. ’ THE GULISTAN OF SA'DI Translated by Richard Francis Burton (1821-1890)