Gulistan of Saadi

 The Manners of Kings

 Story 2

One of the kings of Khorasan had a vision in the dream of Sultan Mahmud, one hundred years after his
death. His whole person appeared to have been dissolved and turned to dust, except his eyes, which
were revolving in their orbits and looking about. All the sages were unable to give an interpretation,
except a dervish who made his salutation and said: ‘He is still looking amazed how his kingdom
belongs to others.’

Many famous men have been buried underground
Of whose existence on earth not a trace has remained
And that old corpse which had been surrendered to the earth
Was so consumed by the soil that not a bone remains.
The glorious name of Nushirvan survives in good repute
Although much time elapsed since he passed away.
Do good, O man, and consider life as a good fortune,
The more so, as when a shout is raised, a man exists no more.