The Persians - V Poem by Sadiqullah Khan

The most disgraceful thing, they think
Is to tell a lie, the next worst to owe a debt.
Because among other reasons the debtor
Is obliged to tell lies. They never defile a river,
Not even wash their hands in it.
The young are trained in bow, horse and truth.

They hold it unlawful to talk about anything
Which the law prohibits.
No other nation adopts foreign
Customs so readily, thus they have taken
The dress of Medes and wear Egyptian
Breast-plate in war. They instantly make their
Own any luxury, each have several wives
Concubines and learned unnatural lust from Greeks.

Notorious to ceremonial and etiquette -
‘The Greeks when they eat leave of hungry
As nothing sweet is served upon them.'
Fond of wine and drinks in large quantities.
‘At the present day, the ‘bon vivants' of Persia,
It is usual to sit for hours, before dinner
Drinking wine, and eating dried fruits such as filberts,
Almonds, pistachio nuts, melon seeds etc. A party indeed
Often sits down at seven o'clock and the dinner
Is not brought in till eleven'. (Translator's note)

-Adapted from Herodotus (484 - 425 BC) , Histories, Book I.

Sadiqullah Khan
Peshawar
July 12,2014.