George Meredith

Name: The Shaving of Shagpat — The Sons of Aklis
Author: George Meredith

The Shaving of Shagpat — The Sons of Aklis (1909)

Summary

“The Shaving of Shagpat — The Sons of Aklis”, published in 1909, is a work by George Meredith. It explores elements such as Shibli Bagarag, Aklis and youths.

Quotes from The Shaving of Shagpat — The Sons of Aklis (George Meredith)

George Meredith, The Shaving of Shagpat — The Sons of Aklis (1909)

“ Shibli Bagarag thought, 'What a life is this led by these youths! a fair one! 'Tis they that be the sons of Aklis who sharpen the Sword of Events; yet live they in jollity, skimming from the profusion of abundance that which floateth!'
Now, marking him contemplative, one of the youths shouted, 'The King lacketh homage!'
And another called, 'Admittance for his people!'
Then the seven arose and placed Shibli Bagarag on an elevation in the midst of them, and lo! a troop of black slaves leading by the collar, asses, and by a string, monkeys. ”

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Source: Wikisource

George Meredith, The Shaving of Shagpat — The Sons of Aklis (1909)

“ Now the animals fled from before the brows of Shibli Bagarag, and when the chamber was empty of them the seven young men said, 'Of a surety thou wert flattered to observe the aspect of these animals at beholding thee.'
But he cried, 'Not so, O my princes; there is nought flattering in the homage of asses and monkeys.'
Then they said, 'O Sultan of asses, ruler of monkeys, better that than thyself an ass and an ape! As was said by Shah Kasirwan, "I prefer being king of beasts worshipped by beasts, rather than a crowned beast worshipped by men" ”

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Source: Wikisource

George Meredith, The Shaving of Shagpat — The Sons of Aklis (1909)

“ Now, Shibli Bagarag failed not to perform two prostrations to Allah, and raised the song of gratitude for his preservation when he found himself in safety. Then he looked up, and lo! behind a curtain, steps leading to an anteroom, and beyond that a chamber like the chamber of kings where they sit in state dispensing judgements, like the sun at noon in splendour; and in the chamber seven youths, tall and comely young men, calm as princes in their port, each one dressed in flowing robes, and with a large glowing pearl in the front of their turbans. ”

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Source: Wikisource

George Meredith, The Shaving of Shagpat — The Sons of Aklis (1909)

“ And he thought of Shagpat, and that in shaving him the blade was checked in its rapid sweep, and blunted by a stumpy twine of hair that waxed in size and became the head of Karaz that gulped at him a wide devouring gulp, and took him in, and flew up with him, leaving Shagpat half sheared. ”

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Source: Wikisource

George Meredith, The Shaving of Shagpat — The Sons of Aklis (1909)

“ THE SONS OF AKLIS
Now, Shibli Bagarag thought, 'The poet is right in Aklis as elsewhere, in his words:
"The cunning of our oft-neglected wit
Doth best the keyhole of occasion fit";
and whoso looketh for help from others looketh the wrong way in an undertaking. Wah! I will be bold and batter at the hundredth door, which is the door of the Sword.' So he advanced straightway to the door, which was one of solid silver, charactered with silver letters, and knocked against it three knocks ”

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Source: Wikisource

George Meredith, The Shaving of Shagpat — The Sons of Aklis (1909)

“ Upon that the voice said, 'Enter by virtue of the spells!' and the silver door swung open, discovering a deep pit, lightened by a torch, and across it, bridging it, a string of enormous eggs, rocs' eggs, hollowed, and so large that a man might walk through them without stooping. ”

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Source: Wikisource

George Meredith, The Shaving of Shagpat — The Sons of Aklis (1909)

“ Shibli Bagarag listened to them gravely, and it was revealed to him that he who ruleth over men hath a labour and duties of hearing and judging and dispensing judgement similar to those of him who ruleth over apes and asses. Then said he, 'O youths, my princes! ”

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Source: Wikisource

George Meredith, The Shaving of Shagpat — The Sons of Aklis (1909)

“ After that the Voice was still, and soon the Antelope returned from behind the curtain, and the youths caressed her with brotherly caresses, and took a circle of hands about her, and so moved to the great Hall of the gorgeous Tree, and fed her from the branches. Now, while they were there, Shibli Bagarag advanced to the Antelope, and knelt at her feet, and said, 'O Princess of Aklis, surely I am betrothed to one constant as a fixed star, and brighter; a mistress of magic, and innocent as the bleating lamb ”

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Source: Wikisource

George Meredith, The Shaving of Shagpat — The Sons of Aklis (1909)

“ And the youths arose and led Shibli Bagarag to a hall of ebony, and seated him on the upper seat, themselves standing about him; and lo! asses and monkeys came before him, complaining of the injustice of men and their fellows, in brays and bellows and hoots. Now, at the sight of them again Shibli Bagarag was enraged, and he said to the youths, 'How! ”

George Meredith

Summary

Quotes from The Shaving of Shagpat — The Sons of Aklis (George Meredith)

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