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from the mines in the form of pieces. It is called rihaz also. Thus we
have the expression, arkaz al-m'adan (pieces in a mine), whether these pieces are the nuggets of gold or the mine is that of silver. Occasionally, it is found admixed or adulterated. It is refined and on refining is called ibriz. Thenceforward, it retains its weight and does not lose any of its weight, to the slightest degree, on melting. Abu Ishaq Sabi says: When warmed in the fire of grief, I became progressively yellow like
the gold which on heating comes out yellow.
Abu Sa'id bin Dust says: I see that the weight of an old man becomes (gradually) reduced,
but he gains in exprience with advancing age.
Like gold which diminishes in weight, on being heated but gains in
value.
It has been said for such a person, who appears unenamoured of red gold, that he is superior to it in esteem and respect. Sometimes gold is found attached to a stone as if it has been cast
along with it. Therefore, this stone is broken and ground. It is suggested that it is better to grind it with mashajin. It is, on the other hand, said that on being pounded with it, it becomes pure and red. if this is correct, it is a strange phenomenon indeed. Mashajin is the stone attached to the columns in flowing water for pounding purposes, as in Samarqand, cannabis is ground for making paper. Once the essence of gold is pounded and broken, it is free from the stone. Gold is squeezed in a leather pouch together with quicksilver till
most of the quicksilver is leached out of the pores. Whatever quicksilver remains vapourises on heating. Such gold is called dhahab-i-zaybaqi or muzabbaq. This gold is extremely pure, so pure that none other is purer. Once I prepared very pure gold through several washings. It did not leave any trace upon the whetstone nor clung to it. It begins to solidify immediately on leaving the kiln, and, if blowing is discontinued, begins to collect in the kiln. The suspicion that gold is called mustafshar because of its softness
seems to be well founded. Such gold was prohibited from possession by the public as a matter of political expediency and regal command during the halcyon days of the Persian empire. It was meant to be used by the kings alone. Thus Dhu al-Rummah depicts the image of such gold in the following verse: 4 As if upon their adorned and decorated skins is limpid gold.'
Limpidity is one of the characteristics of gold, but, since the poet has used the word, tamwiyah, the original of which is ma' (water), the object likened has been conferred with its characteristics. Limpid water is dearer than all other objects and more excellent than they are, and the poet has associated gold with its characteristics. The hemistich by Abu |
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