Untitled

T*HIRD DISCOURSE. ON ASTROLOGERS
(
A-NECDOTE XXVII.
(.. i
Hakfm-i-Mawsili was o tne of the Border of Astrologers in
Nishapur, and was in the service of that Great Minister Nizamu'l- ,
Mulk of Tus, who used to 'consult with him on matters of importance,
and seek his advice (ir) and opiniodi. Now when Mawsilf's
years were drawing to a close, and failure of his faculties began
to manifest itself, and feebleness of body began to appear, so
that he was no longer able to perform these long journeys, he
asked the Minister's permission to go and reside at Nfshapur,
and to send thence, annually, an almanac and forecast for
the year. c fi
Now the Minister Nizamu'1-Mulk was also in the decline of
life and near the term of existence and he ',
said, " Calculate the
march of evento and see when the dissolution of my elemental
nature will occur, a r nd at what date that inevitable doom and
unavoidable sentence will befall."
Hakfm-i-Mawsili answered, " Six months after my death.'''
So the Minister bestowed on him in increased measure all things
needful for his comfort, and Mawsilf went to Nfshapur, and there
abode in ease, sending each year the forecast and calendar. And
whenever anyone came to the Minister from Nfshapur, he used
first to enquire, "How is Mawsilf?" and so soon as he had
ascertained that he was alive and well, he would become joyous
and cheerful.
At length in the year A.H. 485 (A.D. 1092-3) one arrived from
Nfshapur, and the Minister enquired of him concerning Mawsilf.
"
The man replied, with an obeisance, May he who holdeth the
ck-ief feat in Islam be the heir of many life-times ! Mawsilf hath
quitted this mortal body." "When?" enquired the Minister. "In
the middle of Rabi" the First" (April 11 May 11, A.D. 1092),
answered the man, " he yielded up his life for him Who sitteth in
the chief seat of Islam."
The Minister thereat was mightily put'' about ; yet, being
thus warned, he looked into all his affairs, confirmed all his pious
endowments, gave effect to his bequests, wrote his last testa-
ment, set free such of his slaves as had earned his* approval,
discharged the debts which he owed, and, so far as lay in his
power, made all men content with him, L.nd sought forgiveness
from his adversaries, and so sat awaiting his fate until the month
of Ramadan (A.H. 485 = Oct. 5 Nov. 4, A.D. 1092), when,! he foil
a martyr at Baghdad 1 at the hands of that Sect (i.e. the Assassins) ;
may God make illustrious his Proof, and accord him an ajnple
approval !
1 This is an error of the author's, for the evidence that Nizamu'1-Mulk was (
assassinated
at Nihawand is overwhelming.
(
,