An illustrated leaf from a manuscript in prose, Persia, 16th Century

An illustrated leaf from a manuscript in prose
Persia, 16th Century
Persian manuscript on paper, four lines recto of text in nasta'liq script in black ink within cloudbands, inner margins ruled in gold and blue, outer border with stylised vegetal motifs in gold
painting 125 x 80 mm.; leaf 245 x 150 mm.

The text has not been identified, but the story tells of a man, possibly a sufi, who meets a king, and who is asked the reason why he wore black on his head (i.e. a turban). However, the illustration does not show a black turban and it is unusual to show a sufi with a sword.