Bearding The Shah

A wiiter ou Persian life and marmers saya : " Fat-h 'Aly himsell' waa a poet, and liis lauréate was an oíd chief namecí Fat-h 'Aly Khan, whose aueestors had been ïor severa! generations the Govoruors of Kashan. It is related that one day ihe 8hai gave Lim fome of his versesto re&d, andasked himliis opinión of them. ' May my soul be your sacriüce,' said the lauréate, ' they are boah.' The insulted sovereigu exclaimed : ' He i.s au asa ; take liim to the stablea ;' and the order was literally obeyed. After a short time his Maje3ty seit for him again aud read sorne moreof his verses. The poet wslked off without a word. ' Where are you going ?' criedthe Süah. ' Just baek again to the atables,' answertcj his undaunted lauréate. Fat-h 'Aly, delighted with his boldne3S, ealled him back and ordered hia mouth to be stuffed with sugarcandy, a high mark of favor."