to the mysteries of the land of Kaydara,
to explain and reveal to him the meaning of the symbols.
He spent considerable sums of money in vain.
One day a beggar appeared
at Hammadi's door after being driven away everywhere else.
He was more dead than alive.
He walked by habit more than by strength.
This little man, covered with wretched rags,
soaked in sweat, said “At last, I'm here!”
“And where do you suppose you are?” said the guard.
“At Hammadi's, father of Hammadi, the great,
the generous, the benefactor of his people, there I am!”
“What do you want?” the guard asked.
“To see Hammadi” answered the old man.
The chief guard found that this went too far,
and to intimidate the old man and change his mind,
asked him, “Want me to kick you out of here?
What you need is rice, not a royal audience.”
The little man beat the air, hammered the ground
and said:
“I want no charity! I want to see
and meet the King, and sup with him!
My hand and his in the same muck,
so I can spread my fleas and lice to him.”
The chief guard found that this went too far,
and to intimidate the old man, and change his mind,
asked him, “Want me to kick you out of here?
Then you'd be a sight, my poor old fellow,
and your belly would have it in for you.
Know that the King wishes to receive no one
aside from him who can undo the secret
hidden in the signs of the land of the dwarf-spirits.
I don't think you can much help
with these double knots holding your rags together.
Now get out, or my fist will land
on your cheek and make you forget
your own two names.”