‘I have been waiting for you. I knew that you would be here on time. I have much to say to you.’
He then led him by the hand away from everyone into a small anti-chamber where they sat down side by side on an enormous leather cushion.
‘Some of what I am about to say will surprise you, but I hope that when all is said and done you will not regret having responded to my invitation.’
‘Could anyone ever regret having entered through Nizam al-Mulk’s gateway.’
‘That has happened,’ murmured the Vizir with a savage smile. ‘I have raised men up to the skies, and I have brought others low. Every day I dispense life and death. God will be the judge of my intentions. He is the source of all power. He granted the supreme authority to the Arab Caliph, who ceded it to the Turkish Sultan, who has delivered it into the hands of the Persian Vizir, your servant. Of others I demand that they respect this authority, but of you, khawajeh Omar, I demand that you respect my dream. Yes, I dream of making this huge country of mine into the most powerful, prosperous, stable state, into the best policed state in the universe. I dream of an empire where every province and city will be administered by a just and God-fearing man who pays heed to the groans of his weakest subjects. I dream of a state where the wolf and the lamb will drink peacefully together, in complete peace, water from the same brook. However, it is not enough for me merely to dream, I am building. Go and walk about in the districts of Isfahan and you will see regiments of workers digging and building, and artisans going about their work. Hospices, mosques, caravansaries, citadels and seats of government are being built everywhere. Soon every important city will have its own large school which will carry my name, a ‘madrasa Nizamiya’. The one in Baghdad is already in operation. I drew up its plans with my own hands, I established its curriculum, I chose the best teachers for it and I have allotted a grant for every student. You see, this empire is one large building site. It is rising up, expanding and prospering. Heaven has allowed us to live in a blessed age.’
A light-haired servant came in and bowed. He was carrying two goblets of iced rose-syrup on an engraved silver tray. Omar took one. As he raised it his lips felt its icy steam and he decided to sip it slowly. Nizam finished his off in one gulp and continued:
‘Your presence here gladdens and honours me!’
Khayyam wanted to reply to this rush of amiability, but Nizam stopped him with a gesture.
‘Do not think that I am trying to flatter you. I am so powerful that I need only sing the praises of the Creator. However, you see, khawajeh Omar, as far-flung, as populated or as opulent as an empire may be, there is always a shortage of men. In appearance what a lot of creatures, how teeming the streets are, what dense crowds! But when I chance to look upon the deployment of my army, or a mosque at prayer time, a bazaar or even my diwan, I have to ask myself: if I were to demand some wisdom, knowledge, loyalty or integrity from these men, would I not, at the mention of each quality, see the throng thin out, then melt and disappear? I find myself alone, khawajeh Omar, desperately alone. My diwan is empty, as is my palace. This town and this empire are empty. I always feel that I have to clap with one hand behind my back. I am not content with sending for men like you to come from Samarkand, I myself am ready to go on foot to Samarkand to fetch them.’
Omar murmured a confused ‘God forbid!’, but the Vizir did not stop.
‘Those are my dreams and my worries. I could speak to you of them for days and nights, but I want to listen to you. I am impatient to know if this dream moves you in some way, if you are ready to take your rightful place at my side.’
‘Your projects are exhilarating and I am honoured by your faith in me.’
‘What do you require in order to work with me? Tell me frankly, the way I have spoken to you. You will obtain everything you desire. Do not be timorous, and do not let my moment of rash prodigality pass by.’
He laughed. Khayyam managed to cover his utter confusion with a weak smile.
‘My only desire is to be able to carry on my humble works sheltered from need. My greed goes no further than having something to drink, clothing on my back and shelter for the night.’
‘By way of shelter, I offer you one of Isfahan’s most beautiful houses. I myself resided there while this palace was being built. It will be yours, with its gardens, orchards, carpets, servants and maidservants. For your expenses, I am allotting you a pension of ten thousand royal dinars. As long as I am alive it will be paid to you at the beginning of every year. Is it sufficient?’
‘That is more than I need. I shall not know what to do with such a great sum.’
Khayyam was being sincere, but this irritated Nizam.
‘When you have bought all the books, had all the jars of wine filled and all your mistresses covered with jewels, you will distribute alms to the poor, finance the Mecca caravan and build a mosque in your name!’
Realizing that his detachment and the modesty of his demands had displeased his host, Omar made bold:
‘I have always wanted to construct an observatory with a large stone sextant, an astrolabe and various instruments. I would like to measure the exact length of the solar year.’
‘Granted! By next week funds will be allotted to you for that end. You will choose the site and your observatory will be erected within a few months. But, tell me, is there nothing else that would give you pleasure?’
‘By God, I want nothing more. Your generosity overwhelms me.’
‘Then perhaps I, in my turn, might formulate a demand for you?’
‘After what you have just granted me, I will be only too glad to be able to show you a small part of my immense gratitude.’
Nizam did not hesitate.
‘I know that you are discreet and little inclined to gossip. I know that you are wise, just, impartial and in a position to discern the truth from the false in everything. I know that you are trustworthy: I would like to charge you with the most delicate commission of all.’
Omar waited for the worst, and indeed it was the worst which was in store for him.
‘I name you sahib-khabar,’
‘Sahib-khabar, me! The head spy?’
‘Head of the Empire’s information. Do not respond in haste, it is not a question of spying on good people or infiltrating the homes of believers, but of looking after the peace for everyone. In a state, the least coercion or injustice must be brought to the attention of the sovereign and quelled in an exemplary fashion, whoever the guilty party may be. We can only learn if some qadi or provincial governor is exploiting his office to enrich himself at the expense of the weak by means of our spies, since the victims do not always dare to complain!’
‘These spies could still be bought off by the qadis, the governors or the emirs, or become their accomplices!’
‘Your role, the role of the sahib-khabar, is precisely to find incorruptible men for these assignments.’
‘If these incorruptible men exist, would it not be simpler to appoint them governors or qadis!’
It was a naïve observation, but to Nizam’s ears it sounded mocking. He became impatient and arose:
‘I have no wish to debate the issue. I have told you what I am offering you and what I expect of you. Go and think over my proposal. Weigh up the arguments on both sides calmly and return tomorrow with your response.’