One manuscript source has instead of in the first line; Arshi discusses this variant in his introduction, pp. 105-106. The idea of a is that a particularly honored guest is provided with a special, temporary walkway of valuable carpets, so that upon arrival his or her precious feet won't even be allowed to touch the dirty, common, rough street or entry-way. Mir offers a less sarcastic example of such 'red-carpet' hospitality: M 268,1 . What a wonderful verb is , with the full range of meanings set forth by Platts (see the definition above). It can be used for almost any form of hortatory or persuasive rhetorical performance, from the rational to the emotional, from the reproachful to the apologetic. Is the lover asking an insane question, as Nazm supposes-- since everybody knows what the Advisor is bound to say to the mad lover? Or is it a sarcastic question, as Bekhud Dihlavi believes-- since the wretched Advisor's efforts are known to be futile even before they are made? Or is it a sincere question, as Bekhud Mohani implies-- since undoubtedly the Advisor will face great difficulties? And of course, why is 'somebody' enjoined to explain beforehand what the Advisor will then come and explain? Again, is it madness, sarcasm, or straightforward inquiry? Similarly, when the lover speaks of the Advisor as his Lordshop and promises, through a stylized phrase of reverent salutation, an elaborately respectful welcome-- is that madness, sarcasm, or courteous respect? One more verse, one more set of -generated questions. graphics/redcarpet.jpg