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And he fell to weeping over his father and at parting with him,

and he but a boy. Then Nur al-Din lapsed into a swoon, the

forerunner of death; but presently recovering himself he said, "O

Hasan, O my son, I will now bequeath to thee five last behests.

The FIRST BEHEST is, Be over-intimate with none, nor frequent

any, nor be familiar with any; so shalt thou be safe from his

mischief; [FN#391] for security lieth in seclusion of thought and

a certain retirement from the society of thy fellows; and I have

heard it said by a poet:-

In this world there is none thou mayst count upon * To befriend

thy case in the nick of need: So live for thyself nursing hope of

none * Such counsel I give thee: enow, take heed!

The SECOND BEHEST is, O my son: Deal harshly with none lest

fortune with thee deal hardly; for the fortune of this world is

one day with thee and another day against thee and all worldly

goods are but a loan to be repaid. And I have heard a poet say:-