doorkeeper?’ Then quoth I to them, Bring me my treasures’ Now I had in my treasuries a thousand cisterns in each of which were a thousand quintals[FN#118] of red gold and the like of white silver, besides pearls and jewels of all kinds and other things of price, beyond the attainment of the kings of the earth. So they did that and when they had laid all the treasure in my presence, I said to them, Can ye ransom me with all this treasure or buy me one day of life therewith?’ But they could not! So they resigned themselves to fore-ordained Fate and fortune and I submitted to the judgment of Allah, enduring patiently that which he decreed unto me of affliction, till He took my soul and made me to dwell in my grave. And if thou ask of my name, I am Kúsh, the son of Shaddád son of Ád the Greater.” And upon the tablets were engraved these lines, “An thou wouldst know my name, whose day is done * With shifts of time and chances ’neath the sun, Know I am Shaddád’s son, who ruled mankind * And o’er all earth upheld dominion! All stubborn peoples abject were to me; * And Shám to Cairo and to Adnanwone;[FN#119] I reigned in glory conquering many kings; * And peoples feared my mischief every one. Yea, tribes and armies in my hand I saw; * The world all dreaded me, both friends and fone. When I took horse, I viewed my numbered troops, * Bridles on neighing steeds a million. And I had wealth that none could tell or count, * Against misfortune treasuring all I won; Fain had I bought my life with all my wealth, * And for a moment’s space my death to shun; But God would naught save what His purpose willed; * So from my brethren cut I ’bode alone: And Death, that sunders man, exchanged my lot * To pauper hut from grandeur’s mansion When found I all mine actions gone and past * Wherefor I’m pledged[FN#120] and by my sin undone. Then fear, O man, who by a brink dost range, * The turns of Fortune and the chance of Change.”