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.FIRST DISCOURSE. ON SECRETARIES,
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grew m6re vexed, and broke out in I anger, saying, was his
father's servant, bu-t when my master passed from this trapsitory
to that eternal abode, he entrusted him to me, nt>t me to him.
Although, to outward I , seeming, shou'id obey him, when you
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closely examine this matter a contrary conclusion results, seeing
I am in th (e last stages of old age, and he in the first stages
of youth. Those who have impelled him tp act thus are destroyers
of this Dynasty, no counsellors, and are overthrowers of this
House, not supporters."
Then in extreme --ill-temper he instructed Iskafi saying,
"When thou answerest this letter omit no detail of disrespect;
and I desire that thou shouldst write the answer on the 'back of
the letter." So Iskafi answered iton the sp'ur of the moment,
and first wrote as follows :
"In the Name of God the Merciful the Clement. O Nuh, thou
/last contended with us and made great the contention with us.
Produce, then, that ivlierewith thou threatenest us, if thou art of
those who .
speak truly*"
t
When this letter reached Nuh ibn Mansur the Amir of
Khurasan, he read it, and was astonished; and all the gentlemen
*of the Court were filled with amaze, and the scribes bit their
fingers [in wonder]. And when the affair of Alptagin was disposed
of, Iskafi fled away privily, for he was fearful and terrified;
until suddenly Nuh sent a messenger to summon him to his
presence, and conferred on him the post of Secretary (*). So
his affairs prospered, and he became honoured and fafnous
amongst the votaries of the Pen. Had he not known the Quran
well, he would not have hit up