Revised Translation of the Chahár Maqála ("Four Discourses")

PRAISE, thanks and gratitude to tha;£ King who, by the intervention of the Cherubic and Angelic Spirits, brought into being the World of Return and Restoration, and, by means of that World, created and adorned the World of Growth and De*cay,Viajntainin,g it by the, commands and prohibitions of the Rrophets and Saints, and restraining it by the swords and pens of Kings and Ministers. And blessings upon [Muhammad] the Lord of both worlds, who was the most perfect 6*f the Prophets; and invocations of grace upon his Family and Companions, who were the most excellent of Saints. And honour to the King of this time, that learnec^ just, divinely-strengthened, heaven-aided and ever-victorious monarch Husdmu’d-Dawla wdd-Din, Help of Islam and the Muslims, Exterminator of the infidels and polytheists, Subduer of the heretical and the froward, Chief of hosts in the worlds, Pride of Kings and Emperors, Succourer of these days, Protector of mankind, Arm of the Caliphate, Beauty of the Faith and Glory of the Nation, Controller of the Arabs and the Persians, noblest of mankind, Shamsul-Mtfdli, Maltku’l-Umard, Abu’ljHasan ‘All ibn Mas’iid, Helper of the Prince of Believers, may his life be according to his desires, may the greater part of the world be assigned to his namg, and may the orderly government of the human race be directed by his care! For to xday he is the most excellent of the kings of the age in nobility, pedigree, judgement, statesmanship, justice, equity, valour and generosity, as well as in*the enrich’ing of his territory, the embellishment of his realms, the rnaintenance of his friends, the subjugation of his foes, the raising o? armies, the safe-guarding of the people, the securing of the r<oads, and the tranquillizing of the realms, by virtue of upright judgement, clear understanding, strong resolve and firm determination; by wh«se excellence the concatenation of the House of Shajisab is held together and maintained in order, and by whose perfection the strong arm of that Dynasty’s forturfe is strengthened and recognized. May God Almighty vouchsafe to him and to, the other kings of that line a full portion of dominion “and domain, throne and fortune, fame and success, command and prohibition, by His Favoyr and universal Grace!