Chapter XX: Preface (6)

“All those anxieties that fall on us like darts,
Are but the vapours, tempests, of our human hearts.
Those cares are like a sickle, made to cut us down.
This is a fact, though we are slow the truth to own.
Our ev’ry suffering, here, a portion is of death.
This part of death, then, drive away whilst thou hast breath.
If from this part of death thou findst thou canst not run;
Thou’rt sure whole death will follow, as the light the sun.
If thou canst learn to think this part of death is sweet,
Thou knowest that God will make its whole thy tastes to meet. 55
Our troubles are the heralds of our death to come.
Turn not thy face away from herald, as do some.”

“Whoever leads a joyous life finds death severe.
And he who’s slave to body, mars his soul’s career.
When sheep come home from pasture in the meadows green,
The fattest ones are slaughtered, soon as they are seen.
The night is spent, the morn is come, my bosom friend,
When wilt thou bring thy grumbling gossip to an end?
Once thou wert young, and more content a hundredfold;
Then covetous becamest, though thyself art gold. 60
A fruitful vine thou wert; a blight’s come over thee;
Thy fruit will never ripe, ’twill shrivel on the tree.
Sweet fruit, with flavour, give, thy inward worth to prove.
Thou backwards shouldst not walk, as ropemakers all move.
Thou art my helpmate fond; and fellow-workers all,
Of one mind still should be, or their joint work must fall.
A pair should ever be conformable in aim.
A pair of shoes examine; pair of boots, the same.
If one boot of a pair be too small for the foot,
The pair is useless; vain, the other’s size to moot. 65
One boot is small; the other, ’haps, too large is found.
Hast ever known a lion consort with a hound?
Two packs upon a camel equipoise require;
The one must not be half, the other bale entire.
I choose the road that leads straight to contentment’s door,
Why takest thou the path to sin and misery’s floor?”
The woman’s husband, suffering, but resigned still,
Thus spake unto his wife, to calm her restive will.

The woman raised a shout: “O man of simple mind!
I will no longer listen to thy words, though kind. 70
Talk not to me of claims, pretensions, and such stuff.
I care not one pin’s point for pride and flimsy fluff.
Why preach so loud of sentiment and honour’s call?
Just look at our condition. Shame upon thee fall!
Pride certainly is wrong; much worse in beggars’ camp.
The day is cold and snowy; all our clothing’s damp.
What nonsense and frivolity thy weak pate doles!
And all the while thy tent, like cobweb, ’s full of holes.
Where didst thou learn contentment’s rule to make thy pride?
Has thy contentment taught thee shame from men to hide? 75
The Prophet has declared: ‘Content a treasure is.’
But what knowest thou of treasure? Suffering’s all thy bliss.
Contentment’s but a water-reservoir that leaks.
Do hold thy tongue, thou plague; and cease these foolish freaks.
Thou namest me thy helpmate; lower, pray, thy tone.
I’m fellow unto justice; mate to knavery, none.
Since thou equality with lords and princes claimest,
Why suck the blood of locusts that by chance thou maimest?
Thou fightest for a bone with dogs in this debate.
How shall I not complain, with hunger at our gate? 80
Don’t look at me contemptuously, and all askance.
Lest I tell all my mind, thy baseness to enhance.
Thou holdest thyself much wiser than poor soul like me.
Hast ever found me wanting sense to make thee see?
Think not to fall upon me, wolf-like, unawares,
O thou at whose great wisdom woman’s folly stares!
The wisdom thou so holdest superior to all,
Not wisdom is; but serpent’s, scorpion’s, deadly gall.
A foe may God prove ever to thy drivelling guile!
So mayst thou turn out weaker than weak woman’s wile! 85
Thou art both snake and snake-catcher, in one combined.
A serpent-charming serpent! Arab’s pride enshrined!

Did crows but realise their ugliness supreme,
As white as snow they’d change, through rage and arrant shame.
A charmer sings a charm against a snake, his foe;
The snake charms him in turn; hence follows boundless woe.
Were not his trap a charm prepared by the snake,
Would he become the victim of some small mistake?
The charmer first is caught in toils of greed and lust.
And sees not ’tis the snake has charmed him, bound him fast. 90
The snake addresses him: ‘O charmer! See now! Look!
Thy own work thou perceivest, my wiles hast mistook.
Thou charmest in God’s name to make me thy bond-slave,
And lead me captive, make me sport for fool and knave.
The name of God it is that holds me fast enchained;
That name thou usest as my trap. Art not soft-brained?
That name will one day vengeance on thee for me take.
In fear of that dread name, I, soul and body, quake.
He’ll either take thy life with poison-fang of mine;
Or, like me, unto prison He will thee consign!’” 95
Thus spake the woman bitterly unto her spouse,
Whole volumes would not hold the words that she let loose.

He answered her: “My wife! Art woman? Art thou mad?
‘My poverty’s my pride.’[288] Reproach me not when sad.
Possessions, wealth, are but a cap the scalp to hide.
The scaldheads or baldpates alone in caps confide.
Whoever’s hair has grown in curls or tresses full.
Is always proud when he his cap away can pull.
A man of God resembles precious sense of sight.
Our eyes should not be bandaged, or we can’t see right. 100

The dealer who exposes slaves free from defects,
Strips off the useless cloak that hides all ill effects.
Were they not sound, would he the sheltering mantle strip?
Nay! Contrary! With clothing he’d their vices clip,
And say as an excuse: ‘He’s timid; she’s shamefaced,
And shrinks from being here bare of vestments placed.’”

“A man of wealth may full of sundry vices be.
His riches are his mantle; none his failings see.
Men all are covetous; their greed ’tis blinds them all,
One touch of fellow-feeling binds them as one ball. 105
But should a poor man say what’s precious more than gold
His saying is not heeded by the world so cold.”

“The functions of a dervish far transcend thy ken.
The aim of mendicancy’s folly to most men.
True dervishes retire away from wealth and power.
Their bread the Lord, majestic, furnishes each hour.
Our God is just. When had it happened that the just
Have acted with injustice towards the poor who trust?
To one, all blessings God gives, favours, luxuries;
Another one, at will, with coals of fire He tries. 110
Who doubts that God thus acts with uncontrolled will,
His portion be the fire of tribulation still.”

“‘My poverty’s my pride’ is not an empty word,
Therein are hid a thousand blessings well assured.
In anger, imprecations thou hast cast on me.
I am a humble suitor; snake-catcher thou’dst see.
If e’er a snake I catch, I still extract its fangs,
That harm may never follow, when its head one bangs.
Those fangs are enemies to every serpent’s life,
When I extract them, then, I make him free from strife.” 115

“I never will submit to spell of lust and greed.
For cov’tousness I’ve conquered. Its maw I’ll not feed.
Thank God that greed is not among my sins, at least.
Contentment fills my heart;--a true, perpetual feast.
Thou lookest at the crown of pear-tree full of fruit,
Come down from that idea; no good will it boot.
In raising up thyself, thou giddy hast become;
’Tis not the house that reels; thy brain’s grown troublesome.”

“Once Abū-Jahl saw Ahmed; spitefully he said:
‘Thou ugly portraiture from Banū-Hāshim bred!’ 120
Said Ahmed: ‘True thou’st spoken, most veracious man;
Thy words are worthy credit, let who cavil can!’
Then Abū-Bekr saw him, said he was a sun
Of perfect beauty; east, west, everywhere he’d run.
To him, too, Ahmed answered: ‘Thou hast spoken true,
O upright man, set free from all the nine spheres’ clew.’
The company assembled marvelled at these words,
And asked: ‘How can two contraries be what accords?’
Said Ahmed then: ‘A mirror am I, polished bright.
Both Turk and Hindū see in me reflection’s light.’” 125

“O wife! If ever thou hast thought me covetous,
Come forth from such idea,--too preposterous.
That which thou takest for greed is heaven’s mercy, sure.
And how can greed and mercy both at once allure?
Make trial of true poverty, but for one day, or two.
Thou’lt find therein true riches, with contentment, too.
Be patient with our poverty, and banish grief;
For poverty’s a crown bestowed by our great Chief.
Put off sour looks and see, how many thousand souls,
Through sweet contentment are as happy as the fowls. 130
See other thousands, also, drinking dregs of grief:
It permeates their being, as sugar scents roseleaf.”

“Alas! Thou wast a treasure valued by my heart!
I loved to pour my soul forth in thy ears apart!
A kind of milk is speech; its teat the soul,--or gland.
To make it freely flow requires a loving hand.
If but the hearer listen, hang upon his lips,
The speaker, though a corpse, grows eloquent, ne’er trips.
Attentive audiences still confer the powers,
To stutterers and stammerers, to speak for hours. 135
If strangers should break in upon my privacy,
My womenkind retire, from mere delicacy.
But if my visitor be confidant and kin,
They come forth freely, play about with gladsome din.
Whatever best they know, of work, or play, or jest,
They do and say, for show, before a welcome guest.
What use of sound of harp, of bass or treble notes,
For deaf or senseless ear, that on no music dotes?”

“Our God has made the earth, the sky, and all between;
His light, and eke His fire, upon that stage is seen. 140
The Lord without a purpose gave not musk its scent.
For odour ’twas, not for diseased nostrils, meant.
The earth He stretched forth, and fixed as man’s abode.
The heavens He upreared to be by angels rode.
Th’ inferior creature, man, ’s at strife with all on high;
He bids for every place he sees, for all he’ll sigh.”

“Dear wife! Chaste, modest matron! Art thou well prepared
Into the tomb to sink, ere thy doomed hour’s declared?
Were I to fill the earth with pearls of countless price,
Thy daily bread thee failing, could they thee entice? 145
Then cease from all contention, strive not ’gainst the Lord,
Or separation from thee will be my last word.
What taste have I for strife, contention, or annoy,
When even in peacemakings I’ve no longer joy?
Be quiet! Hold thy peace! Or, by the Lord of life,
I’ll quit this tent for ever; thou’lt not be my wife!
Much better to walk barefoot than with shoe too small!
The toil of travel’s sweeter than strife in one’s wall!”

She knew, thence, he was angered;--will had of his own;
She burst in tears. Was ever woman tearless known? 150
Quoth she: “I’d never thought from thee such words to hear;
Far different had I hoped; knew not I’d aught to fear.”
She made herself most servile, thing of small amount;
Remarked: “Thy humble servant am I; so me count.
My soul and body, all I have, ’s at thy command;
Sole arbiter art thou; dispose; I’ll not withstand,
If I of poverty impatiently complained,
Not for myself, for thee, was our sad lot disdained.
In all afflictions thou our remedy hast been;
I grieve to see thee want; my anguish thence grows keen. 155
Dear, darling spouse! For thee was all my deep dismay;
My sighs and moans for thee came into bitter play.
I call my God to witness, in my heart and mind,
I’m ready life to lay down, if thou’rt so inclined.
O that thy heart,--the life with which my soul’s endued,—
Could trace aright the channel by my thoughts pursued!
If merely through suspicion thou art vexed with me,
My life I value not; breath,--body’s naught! Just see.
I scorn all gold and silver, count them less than dirt,
If they to thee bring anguish. No! I’m no such flirt. 160
Thine is the only picture painted on my heart;
And canst thou talk of leaving me, from home depart?
Discard me, if thou wilt. Thou hast the right and power,
O thou for whose divorce excuse I make each hour!
Recall to mind the time when I thy idol was,
And thou, priest-like, didst worship me! Alas! Alas!
My heart I cultivated just as thou desiredst.
Thou thoughtest ’twas fond. I knew thou it with love inspiredst.

Like potherbs o’er the fire, thou addedst what thou wouldst,
Sharp vinegar, or honey. What thou wishedst, thou couldst. 165
If blasphemy I’ve uttered, lo, I faith profess!
My life is in thy hands; but, be not pitiless!
I wot not thou wouldst prove imperious, like a king;
So, like an ass turned loose, before thee took my fling.
Thy pardon now I crave. Let me know joy again!
Contention I forswear, repentance I maintain.
With sword and winding-sheet I fall at my lord’s feet;
Should he decapitate me, death to me’ll be sweet.
Thou’st talked of separation;--bitter, worse than gall;
Do what thou will with me, that hideous word recall. 170
In thee, for me, a pleader ever will be found;
If I be mute, thou’lt still hear intercession’s sound.
My potent advocate is, in thyself, thy heart;
Relying upon that, I dared to sin, with art.
Have mercy slily,--see thy grace thyself not, Lord!
To me far sweeter than a honeycomb full stored!”

Thus pleaded she; in coaxing, wheedling terms, with skill.
Her tears rolled down in streams, fast coursing at her will.
Her weeping and her sighs were past endurance felt,
Whose features, tearless, e’en his heart of steel could melt. 175
That shower precursor was of lightning’s vivid gleam,
Whose flash lit in his breast a fire, with pity’s beam.
She, of whose beauty was a slave her husband still,
A double spell exerted through entreaty’s thrill.

One, whose least coolness sets man’s heart in flames,
By turning supplicant a twofold witchery claims.
If he, whose pride at times pain causes to thy mind,
To supplication stoop, thou’lt small resistance find.
He, whose fierce tyranny our bleeding hearts most grieves,
By tendering excuses, us excuseless leaves. 180
“Is goodly made to man”[289] ’s a text from God’s own word;
As truth made manifest, is by man ever heard.
God, too, therein decreed: “that he with her may dwell;”[290]
Whence Adam’s love for Eve survived lost Eden’s dell.
A hero man may be, a Hercules to grieve,
But slave to woman’s will is he, without reprieve.
He, to whose words the universe has all bowed down,[291]
Was he who sang: “Humayrā, speak to me!” Life’s crown![292]

Of fire and water, fire is quelled through water’s wet;
Still, water boils through fire, when in a cauldron set. 185
The cauldron, like a veil, those lovers keeps apart;
And water’s influence no longer cools fire’s heart.
To outward show, as water, thou mayst rule thy wife;
In stern reality, thou cleavest to her,--thy life.
This attribute, humanity must own its force:
“Man quails to sensual love,” which springs from failing’s source.
The Prophet hath declared that woman, over sage,
Despotic power e’er wields, and over men of age;
That fools the upper-hand o’er women still maintain, 190
Because they’re harsh, gross, senseless, careless to cause pain.
No gentleness, no pity, faith, or ruth have they;
In that a bestial nature o’er them holds its sway.
Humanity ’tis claims, for self, love, charity;
While lusts and rage are marks of bestiality.
Fair woman is a ray from out the sun of Truth;
Not loved? A creator; not created, forsooth.[293]
The husband, now, contrition felt for what he’d said,
As sinner, at death’s door, repents of evil deed.
Thought he: “I have assailed the life of my life’s life;
I’ve plagued and broke the heart of my dear darling wife!” 195

When God decrees an ill, man’s judgment falls asleep.
And perspicacity knows not which way to leap.
The doom of ill struck home, man straight feels deep regret;
Propriety outraged, he turns to mourn and fret.

Addressing, then, his wife, he said: “My shame is great!
I’ve acted as a heathen, ah! I’m ready to entreat!
’Gainst thee I’ve trespassed, prithee, pardon to me grant;
Upon me vengeance wreak not, root not up the plant!
An infidel, however old, if he confess his sin,
And make amends, God’s sheepfold opes and takes him in. 200
Thy heart is full of pity, goodness, kindness, grace;
All being, eke nonentity, ’s in love with thy sweet face.
True faith, e’en blasphemy, adores thy majesty;
With that elixir all to gold turns instantly.”

In Moses and in Pharaoh parables we see.
’Twould seem that Moses’ faith was right; Pharaoh’s sin’s fee.
By day would Moses pray unto the Lord of Hosts;
At midnight Pharaoh, too, bewailed his impious boasts,
And said: “Thou, Lord, this yoke upon my neck didst lay;
Were’t not for yoke imposed, the egotist who’d play? 205
’Tis Thou’st enlightened Moses’ mind, of Thy free grace;
And hence hast left me blindly groping on my face.
The countenance of Moses Thou’st lit up, like day;
My heart, like moon eclipsed, Thou’st darkened with dismay.
My star was never brighter than the full-faced moon;
When darkened with eclipse, it surely sets too soon.
True, kings and princes sound my praises in their routs;
My star eclipsed, the rabble raise their clamorous shouts:
With cleavers, marrowbones, tongs, pokers, hideous ’larm,
They seek to fright some monster; really, shame all charm. 210
Alas for Pharaoh, with those fearful yells and noise!
Alas his ‘Lord Supreme,’[294] drowned in that discord’s voice!
Both I and Moses servants are of Thee, our King;
Like woodman’s axe on tree, Thy wrath on me takes swing.
Some boughs Thou loppest, to plant. They quickly grow again.
Some others but as firewood burn, or moulder on the plain.
What can the bough, to cope with axe’s severing edge?
Can bough resist, return the blow, as blacksmith’s sledge?
I call on Thy omnipotence! Thy axe withhold!
Thy mercy manifest! These wrongs set right! Behold!” 215

Then to himself did Pharaoh think: “O wondrous thing!
All night I’ve prayed ‘Good Lord’ to heaven’s Almighty King!
In secret I’m humility, a very worm!
But when I Moses meet, how greatly changed my form!
Base coin, if tenfold gilded o’er with finest gold,
Upon the fire when cast, its baseness all behold!
Are not my heart and body wholly in his hand?
Why brain me, flay me, thus? So cunning, soft, and bland!
Commandest Thou me to flourish? As cornfield I’m green.
Decreest Thou me to wither? Straight I’m sallow seen. 220
One day I’m bright as full moon; next, as eclipse dark.
But is not this of all God’s works the constant mark?
‘Be, and it is!’[295] A bat that drives man on, His laws!
Of entity, nonentity, that course is cause!
Th’ uncoloured being stained with colour’s various tinge,
One Moses ’gainst another’s certain to impinge.
If th’ unconditioned state, that was, should e’er return,
With Moses Pharaoh, then, may live in peace; not burn.”

Does doubt invade thy bosom from this subtle theme?
Think! When was colouredness exempt from doubt extreme? 225
The wonder is how colour rose from hueless source;
How colour, huelessness, in ceaseless warfare course!

The origin of oil is water. This is known.
Then why are oil and water foes, as may be shown?
From water oil’s created by mysterious power;
’Gainst water why does oil rise up, and war, each hour?
The rose springs from a thorn; thorns, from the rose.
In open warfare are these two. Why? What suppose?
Or is this seeming warfare all a cunning sham,
Like donkey-dealers’ wordy strife, some dupe to flam? 230
’Tis neither this nor that. ’Tis puzzle for the wise.
The treasure’s to be sought; the ruin’s ’fore our eyes.[296]
That which thou deemest the treasure’s naught but vanity.
By deeming it a treasure, makest thou it to flee.
Thy deemings and thy thoughts build up a pile too fair;
For treasure never lurks where buildings crown the air.
“_To edify_” means: “_Being_, _warfare eke_, _to sow_.”
Nonentity is shamed with entity’s false show!
Not entity ’tis calls for aid. It is the void
For restitution asks,--encroachments would avoid! 235
Think not ’tis thou wouldst flee non-entity’s fell grip;
Nonentity encroachment dreads from thy short trip.
Apparently, it thee invites unto its breast;
But really, it repels; club-like is its protest.
Know then, dear friend, that Pharaoh’s shrink from Moses’ call
Was, really, like a wrong shoe on one’s foot. That’s all.

Opinions are agreed ’mongst philosophic folk:
“The sky’s an eggshell; in it lies this globe, as yolk.”

A questioner once asked: “How rests this little ball
Within the circumambient spheres, without a fall? 240
’Tis like a lamp hung up to vault of high-pitched dome;
It never sinks below, nor soars above its home.”

To him one wise man answered: “By attraction’s force,
On all sides equal poised, it’s kept from all divorce.
Just as an iron ball would centrally be hung,
If loadstone vault there were to hold it freely swung.”

A caviller objected: “How should heaven’s pure vault,
Attracting to itself, this vile black ball exalt?
Say rather it repels with equal force all round.
The earth thus rests amidst air’s tides that hold it bound.” 245

Thus is it by repulsion from the souls of saints,
The Pharaohs of each age are fixed in error’s taints.
Repelled, then, they are from this world and the next;
In neither have they portion;[297] shunned are they, and vexed.
From God’s anointed ones dost thou draw back in heart?
Know, thy existence grieves them, frets them, makes them smart.
They’re like the amber, then. When chafed, it shows its power.
The mote of thy existence quick they’ll force to cower.
If they conceal that power,--exert it not for thee,
All thy docility will turn to pride. Thou’lt see. 250
E’en as the bestial quality, in man aye found,
Unto its human yokemate[298] slave and serf is bound.
This human element, too, in saints’ hands, my friend,
Is pliant, like the bestial; to their wish they’t bend.

By true faith, Ahmed called the world, his docile sons,
To table spread: “Say: ‘Servants mine!’” Thus God’s text runs.[299]

Thy mind’s a camel-driver; thou, the camel, still,
Urged by decree: “Command!”[300] it drives thee as it will.
God’s saints are minds of minds. Men’s minds, beneath their sway,
Are camels, too. And thus the lengthening series play. 255
Look unto them, then, if the truth thou’dst fully know;
A pilot is the life of thousands, here below.
But what are pilots? Camel-drivers what? Still seek
Thou one whose eye looks on the sun, and feels not weak.
The world’s plunged, nailed, in thickest pitchy dark of night;
For day to break, it wants the rise of God’s sunlight.

Behold a sun for thee, in mote contained and hid;
A rampant lion, clad in pelt of gentlest kid.
Behold a hidden sea, beneath a blade of grass.
Beware! Tread not thereon in doubt. Thou sink’st, alas! 260
Doubt and incertitude, when felt in pious breast,
Are mercies from on high; a leader gives them rest.
A prophet ’s sole and solitary in the world.
Sole; but within him bears a thousand systems furled.
As though by magic, the vast universe he makes
Around himself revolve, who smallest compass takes.
The fools saw him alone; thence judged him some weak thing!
Weak can he ever be who’s upheld by the King?
Those fools thought: “He’s a man. He’s really nothing more.”[301]
Alas, for fools! They’re void of common sense in store. 265

The prophet Sālih’s camel was, in form, a beast;[302]
His people her hamstrung; ’twas ignorance, at least.
They cut her off from water; drink they her refused.
Ungrateful such return for meat and drink they’d used!
“God’s camel” drank the water brought as dew by mists.
God’s water they held back from God. Monopolists!
Thus Sālih’s camel, as of saint the fleshly form,
Became an ambush;--sinners’ ruin thence would storm!
Upon that sinning race what dreadful judgment fell!
“God’s camel and her drink”[303] the text is, us to tell. 270
God’s vengeance, as pursuer, sought from that vile crew
The price of her shed blood, a country’s whole space through.

The soul to Sālih’s like; his camel is the flesh;
The soul communes with God; the flesh pines in want’s mesh.
Good Sālih’s soul was safe from effort of their whim;
His camel felt the blow they dared not aim at him.
No hurt could fall on Sālih’s soul,--that priceless gem,—
Such holy emanation was not sport for them.
The soul unto the flesh is joined, by God’s decree,
That it may be afflicted,--trials made to see. 275
Who hurts a body hurts also its soul, no doubt;
The life-blood in that vase from being’s fount was brought.
God enters in relation with material form,
That He may be asylum to each earthborn worm.
No man can inlet find to injure soul of saint;
An oyster-shell is crushed; its pearl escapes attaint.
Then serve the camel; that is, list to saint in flesh;
And with his righteous soul thou’lt serve one Lord afresh.

When Sālih saw the evil deed they’d foully wrought,
In three days’ time a judgment from his God he sought. 280
“Three days from hence,” said he, “affliction will befall;
Of which, three signs precursors shall be. You’ll see, all.
The colour of your faces shall be changed to view;
Complexions various shall be seen in each of you.
Upon the first day, saffron’s hue shall be their tinge;
The second, scarlet red each countenance shall fringe;
And on the third, as black as coal shall be each face;
Upon which ensuing, God’s wrath shall then take place.
If sign of me you ask for truth of what I say,
Observe the path that camel’s foal shall take to-day; 285
Then strive to catch it. If you can, by chance, succeed;
Good. If not, hope is gone;--from bow the arrow’s freed!”

No one of them the camel’s foal could overtake.
It fled among the hills,--was lost to sight. Heartache!
E’en so the soul, when once its prison bars are burst,
Unto the Lord of Grace its winged flight takes first.
The prophet then: “The threatened judgment now must storm;
All hope’s gone by;--dead as that camel’s lifeless form.
Still, if, by coaxing, you her foal can win back here,
In calm tranquillity, from whence it’s fled through fear, 290
With its return of confidence you may be saved;
But otherwise, despair and gnash your teeth, depraved!”

His threat they heard; dejected were at its import.
Their looks sank downcast;--sad anxiety’s resort.
The first day came; they saw each visage jaundiced o’er;
And thence, in fell dismay, they laments uttered, sore.
Their scarlet skins, the second day, told plainer still,
Time for repentance was but short, and hope was _nil_.
The blackened faces, on the third day, clearly told
The prophet’s threat was strictly true. Their blood ran cold. 295

Thus being brought to quit their menaces and scowls;
Upon their knees, hams, breasts, they crouched like roosting fowls.
This cringing posture has that abject, trembling crew,
In holy writ, inspired, dubbed “crouching;”[304] and ’tis true.
(Kneel, thou, at times when by instructors thou art taught,
And when thou’rt warned that “crouching” ’s with abjection fraught.)
In hopeless expectation God’s blow to ensue,
The countryside entire within their homes withdrew.

The prophet Sālih left his cell to view the town.
Enveloped in a smoke and blaze he saw it drown! 300
Low, moaning noise he heard proceed from its remain;—
Sighs, as it were, and sobs;--he sighers sought in vain!
Those sighs were fitful cracklings of their burning bones;
Those sobs, the hissings of their blood, in clots, on stones!

On hearing these sad sounds the prophet burst in tears;
Responsive to those moans, he groaned.--No listening ears!
The dead he then addressed: “O people, chid in vain!
How often ’gainst you to the Lord I’ve wept, with pain!
The Lord me answered: ‘Patience have with their misdeeds;
To them give counsel still; not long will last those needs!’ 305
Remark I made: ‘With such misdeeds will counsel count?
As milk, kind counsel flows from love’s unsullied fount!’
The untold wrongs you’d heaped upon my patient head
Had curdled milk of counsel in my bosom’s stead.
The Lord replied: ‘A grace I’ll now on thee bestow;
I’ll soothe the wounds inflicted by their rancour’s bow.’
With that, God made my heart as tranquil as of yore;
Swept clean away the cobwebs of your paltry score.”

“Again I proffered counsel to you, sage and safe;
In parables soft couched, with words that might not chafe. 310
Once more that milk flowed, mixed with honey, from my lips;
The dulcet tones were tempting, not like stinging whips.
Alas! Within your ears they all to venom turned;
Because, like poisonous plants, your nature goodness spurned.
Why do I weep? You’ve burnt the substance of all grief;
Like bone in throat, ye obstinate, you’ve choked relief!
Ought any to lament when grief is laid in bier?
Man justly tears his hair, his head if broke by spear!”

With that, reproachfully upon himself he turned,
And cried: “Those fellows were not worth the tears they spurned. 315
Recite not wrongfully, O master of address,
The text: ‘How will I grieve[305] o’er crew that none should
bless!’”
Still, in his eyes and heart more briny tears he found,
A pity, really motiveless, in him ’d ta’en ground.
As summer-rain he wept, through feeling ill at ease;
A summer-rain, quite cloudless, from compassion’s seas.
His conscience smote him sore: “Why weepest thou, man of sense?
Are they of tears fit objects,--men of violence?
What motive for thy tears? Say. Grievest thou for their acts?
Mournest thou th’ extinction of their merciless, vile pacts? 320
Or is’t, perchance, their hearts, corrupt, gangrened, thou’dst weep?
On their empoisoned tongues, so adderlike, thou’dst keep?
Those tails and fangs is’t, are the objects of thy grief?
Their scorpion claws and sting that thou regrettest in chief?
Contentiousness, foul mockery, rude violence?
Thank God, instead, who’s checked their boastful insolence!
Their hands were evil; evil were their feet, their eyes;
Their peace, their friendship, as their wrath, were all unwise.
From rule of meek obedience, customs handed down,
They’d swerved;--to follow mere devices of their own. 325
They wished not for a teacher, asses obstinate;
Their own ideas alone they’d stoop to cultivate.
God therefore sent His servants, smoke and fire to wit,
From heaven, the miscreants to chase to dire hell-pit.”

Behold the damned and blessed, thus, in one scene conjoined;
Between them is “a great gulf fixed by none o’erclimbed.”[306]
Those “sons of fire” and “light” together seemed immixed;
But barrier impassable ’tween them was fixed.
The mine’s rich golden ore in soil imbedded lies;
But really separated, far as eagle flies. 330
Like pearls and jet beads in one row of necklace ranged;
A motley company, like inn’s chance guests, oft changed.
Or like an estuary, half soft, sweet to drink,
Most palatable water, clear, bright as moon’s twink;
The other half salsuginous, wormwood and gall,
Foul, black as ink, and fetid, shocks the senses all.
These dash together; now this, now that, uppermost;
Their waves a turmoil make, as though by tempest tost.
That show of fierce collision’s made by matter’s form;
In truth, the spirits ’tis that compacts make, or storm. 335
When gentle waves, in friendship’s reign, roll gracefully,
Contention quits each breast, all goes on merrily.
With rough war’s hideous billows, (mark the altered scene!)
All love is straight renounced; dire hate’s to supervene.
Affection coaxes rancour to subside, appeased;
Because its origin’s in reason fixed, soon pleased;
While raging anger stirs up thoughts of bitter strife.
For how can man be tranquil, when the stake’s his life?

Our outward eye discerns not pure from tainted hearts;
Futurity’s small lattice oped, the curtain parts. 340
The eye of true sagacity distinct can see;
This other eye, ’tis, fails;--is ne’er from error free.
How many seeming pleasures, fair, as sugar sweet,
Have poison lurking in them, death to all they meet!
Men of discernment know them surely by mere smell;
And others find them out, though late, when tasted, fell.
That taste’s enough; ejected are they; swallowed, not;
Although the fiend may urge, with: “Eat, while hot!”
Again some others find in throat they firmly stick;
And others yet are vexed with intestinal prick. 345
Still others by sharp purgings find they’ve done amiss;
Indulgence of the palate’s changed to pangs their bliss.
Again there are some suffer after months or years;
And others pay the penalty within the tomb, with tears.
E’en should there chance a respite, granted in the grave,
At resurrection’s trump, disclosure naught will save.

Each plant, each honied morsel, in this lower sphere,
A term has, fixed, him to affect who tastes the cheer.
What ages of submission to sun’s influence,
E’er ruby can acquire ripe tinge, bright effulgence!
The salad cress is ready in a month or two; 350
The rose requires some years before it shows its hue.
To this end has the Lord, whose name be ever blessed,
In holy writ declared: “Appointed term.”[307] We’ve cessed.
Hast thou this heard? Read, mark, and learn with diligence!
Life’s water is it. Hast thou drunk? Health spring from thence!
Those _words_ thou mayst consider life’s fount, if thou list;
Their _sense_ it is important thou shouldst not have missed.

One other theme, my friend, fix firmly in thy mind.
’Tis patent as thy soul; as subtle thou’lt it find. 355
At times as venomous as adder’s fatal fang;
At times as healthful as the food from heaven that sprang.
Now lethal; now again remedial, by God’s will.
At one time blasphemy; then, holy rapture’s thrill.
Thus will it, now, be fatal to a human soul;
And then, again, a remedy for all that’s foul:
“The juice of unripe grapes is sour, as is well known;
But when the fruit has ripened, sweet and fragrant grown,
In wine-jar when fermented, nauseous and unclean;
When vinegar, again, most wholesome is it seen.” 360

If saint a poison swallow, wholesome it will prove;
But if disciple taste it, death will him remove.
“Lord, grant unto me,” was the prayer of Solomon,
“The power and kingdom solely (not to Abaddon);
This favour grant not unto other after me!”[308]
Which reads like envy. Such, however, it can’t be.
Put not, in heart, construction that must disagree
Upon those words so read: “to other after me.”
He saw a thousand dangers in the sway conferred;
Saw that earth’s empire is a snare to be abhorred; 365
A danger to one’s life, one’s faith, one’s inner self;
Such trial has no equal on the whole world’s shelf.
E’en Solomon sagacity did much require,
To shield him from mistakes in all his vast empire.
The wondrous power he wielded could alone suffice,
To quell rebellion’s perils, rising in a trice.
So when he rested from due ordering his wide realm,
He felt that other kings misrule might overwhelm.
Then interceded he: “This rule, this much-prized flower,
Vouchsafe to none, save with the selfsame power. 370
To whom Thou mayest it grant upon these very terms,
He’s Solomon, he is myself, my sway confirms.
He’ll not come after me, he’ll reign with me indeed;
With me and in me, free from rival’s dreaded meed.”

This to expound appeared a duty paramount;
Return we, and our tale of man and wife recount.

A sequel to that incident ’tween man and wife
Is looked for by the mind of him who’s watched their life.
The incident of man and wife recounted here
Of each man’s soul and flesh the parable is, clear. 375
The wife the flesh is; man’s the soul; he’s wisdom, too;
They’re emblems also of all good and evil, true.
The two, of need, existing in this earthly home,
By day and night at war are;--always quarrelsome.
The wife requires her various household garniture,
Her bed and board, her comfort, and her furniture.
The flesh, like woman, to be gratified still seeks;
Submissive sometimes; oft would play ambitious freaks.
The soul has no idea, itself, of such instinct;
But seeks to muse upon its love for God, distinct. 380
Existence is the secret of their constant war;
The form in which ’tis waged thou’rt now about to hear.
Had psychic indication proved sufficient sign,
Material creation ’d been a useless coin.

Is love for God thy thought, aim, wish, design, intent?
To forms of worship, fasting, thou wilt yield assent.
The gifts and little presents interchanged by friends,
Are not their love’s pure essence. Signs they are, not ends.
Mere outward witnesses, that simply testify
Th’ affection’s feelings. These the heart, ’tis, sanctify. 385
For all men know that kindnesses bestowed by hand
Are proofs of sympathy. Mind can this comprehend.

A witness may speak falsely; also, may speak truth;
Is sometimes drunk, with wine; sometimes, is urged by ruth.
When wine is drunk, intoxications supervene;
Its vapours rise into the head, erst so serene.
Behold yon hypocrite! He fasts; he worships, prays;
That he a man of God may seem. He’s not. Mere ways!

Results of outward actions are of outward kind,—
The signs of what is inward, working on the mind. 390
Grant unto us, O Lord, discernment to perceive
What sign is true, which meant fond mortals to deceive!
Suppose not that the senses with discernment plod;
Discernment is the inner, gracious gift of God!
Effect not being visible, we look to cause.
We know that kindred moves to friendship, by fixed laws.
But him, who judges by the light of God’s own truth,
Effect and cause no longer hold a slave, forsooth.
When love for God is lighted in the human heart,
It fiercely burns; it suffers not effect’s dull smart. 395
No sign of love does it require to seek for, there;
For love is love’s own sign, giv’n from the highest sphere.

Details there are, far more, to make this theme complete.
If wished for, each can find them. They’re not obsolete.
Sense must be gathered from material, outward form;
Some sense is patent; some is hard to find, difform.
The indication’s feeble;--tree and water see;—
How different, apparently, their natures be!

Let’s leave now all these words,--cause, nature, sign;—
And turn we to our Arab and his wife benign. 400

The husband said: “I’ve now abandoned all dispute.
All rule is in thy hands; thy power is absolute.
Whatever thou ordain, submissive thou’lt me find;
Its good or bad results shall not weigh on my mind.
I’m non-existent; save, that by thee I must move;
A lover; therefore am I deaf and blind, through love.”

His wife him answered: “Is this all in kindness meant?
Or dost thou seek by craft my plans to circumvent?”
He swore: “By God; who knows the secrets of each heart;
Who hath created Adam free from treacherous art; 405
Who, in three cubits’ stature unto him dispensed,
The mysteries of all decrees, all souls, condensed:
Whatever is to be, to all eternity,
To Adam taught, with every name of Deity,
So that the very angels wearied under him,
As he them taught, but ever gained by each maxim!”

The revelations Adam made to them were vast;
Had never been disclosed before, from first to last.
The compass, spacious, of his all-inclosing mind
Far wider was than heaven of heavens a grasp could find. 410

The Prophet hath declared God made him clearly know:
“I’m not contained, not held; by aught above, below,
On earth, in heaven, above the heavens, I am not held.
This know, then, thou also, My friend, as though beheld.
But, wonderful! Believer’s heart can Me contain!
If Me thou’dst seek, there look for Me, with might and main!”[309]
His words were: “Seek within My servants. There thou’lt meet
The paradise of My aspect. Thou most discreet!”[310]
The heaven of heavens, with all its wondrous wide extent,
At sight of Adam’s glory into tremors went. 415
The marvellous expanse of heaven’s a stretch extreme.
But what is matter, all, when spirit is the theme!

Each angel made remark: “Until this very hour
I had a certain knowledge of the wide earth’s bower.
Much duty I’ve performed upon its soil, down there.
Surprise I’ve felt, not small, attachment so to bear.
For what was my attachment to that ball of clay;—
I, that am moulded from the glorious light of day?
What was my strong affection? I’m light; darkness, earth!
Can light and darkness mingle;--live in jocund mirth? 420
O Adam! Now it’s clear! My love was mere instinct;
In that the earth material gave for thee, succinct!
Thy earthly body here was wove out of its clay;
Thy spirit, pure, created was beyond the realm of day!
The honour which we, spirits, have received through thee,
Before all worlds had sparkled, by divine decree!
When we were on the earth, we inattentive were;
And little recked the treasure trusted to its care!
When orders were received to quit the earth, and mount,
We felt regret to change; knew not on what account. 425
We thought of reasons for the shift, and question made:
‘O Lord! Who then shall take our place when we’re thus bade?
Wilt Thou exchange our praise and service here below,
For mere lip-homage from a worm Thee will not know?’
An answer from the Lord, benign, did we receive:
‘What you allege is somewhat many might deceive.
Each word upon your tongues is surely out of place,
As lisping talk of son to sire, without preface.
Your rash objections would deserve to be chastised,
But that I have decreed that mercy’s higher prized. 430
Behold, O angels! Since you’ve made confusion strange,
In you henceforth I’ve placed a sense of doubt and change!
Since you demur, and I refrain from chastisement,
None can gainsay my mercy; none may raise comment.
A hundred mothers, fathers, meet not My decree!
Each soul that’s born a zero is compared to Me!
Their love is but the froth; My love, the sea of love!
Froth comes and goes; the ocean none remove.
More I may say. For, in this earthly oyster-shell
There’s naught but froth of froth, of froth of froth to tell!’“ 435

The Lord thus spake;--the Lord, that sea of purity!—
He spake not by conjecture;--truth’s own entity!
What I here state is said in love’s humility.
The Lord is He to whom I fly,--sole Deity!
If thou wouldst put to test what I have here set forth,
First prove thy test. Make truly sure it’s trouble’s worth.
Cloak not thy secret thoughts. So may my thoughts be known.
Propose whate’er thou list; within my power, ’tis shown.
Thy heart conceal not. I’ll lay bare my heart of hearts;
Accept all, of acceptance worthy, thy mind starts. 440
That I may do whatever lies within my power,
Do thou observe my heart’s condition in its bower.

The wife observed: “A very sun of good is risen;
Through whom a gladsome world’s enlarged from want’s sad prison.
Vicegerent of th’ All-Merciful, Caliph of God,
Fair Bagdād’s city prides itself to kiss his rod.
If unto him thou have recourse, a prince thou’lt be.
Why, then, to misery cleave, such as we hourly see?
Companionship with fortune’s minions brings good luck;
Where’s an elixir like their power, my dearest duck? 445
Ahmed’s esteem raised Abū-Bekr such a height;
For once confirming Ahmed’s word, ‘Faithful’ he’s hight!”

The man demurred: “How can I gain access at court?
Without an introduction, how find sure passport?
Connection we must seek; or else invent excuse.
No artizan can work without his tools. The deuce!
Thus Mejnūn, when he’d heard by chance from passing wight,
His Laylā was an invalid (which caused him fright),
Exclaimed: ‘Alas! Without excuse I cannot go!
And if I visit not the sick one, I’m all woe! 450
Would that I were physician, with his healing art;
Then could I see my Laylā; none would dare me thwart!’
And now he cries: ‘I have it! I’ve a right to go!
No bashfulness shall keep me from her portico!’
Had bats but eyes, with which to see and find their way,
They’d fly about, disport themselves, jocund, by day.”

The wife replied: “The Caliph’s public pageant is
For all who introduction lack; their griefs are his.
To be, and have a grief, is introduction sure.
Thus poverty and lowliness work their own cure.” 455

He still objected: “Shall I fall in love with want,
That I may urge my need as matter for some grant?
E’en then, a witness credible I should require
T’ attest my indigence, when almoners inquire.
Point out for me a witness; not mere words and wiles;
That so the sovereign’s favour may be won, and smiles.
For, otherwise, a mere pretext, without a proof,
In justice’ court would fail, and bring reproof.
A witness credible is, then, _sine quâ non_.
For suitor’s plea to stand, proof it must rest upon.” 460

His wife rejoined: “The witness thou requir’st to bring,
Must, by some shrewd contrivance, from thy prospects spring.
Rain-water’s all we have in store within our hut,
Estate, possessions, wealth, lie in our water-butt.
A little pot of water shalt thou bear with thee,
As offering to the Caliph. This present from me;
And say: ‘No other wealth on earth do I possess.
To Arabs of the desert, water’s happiness!
The Caliph’s treasury is full of gems and gold;
A pot of water such as this, its coffers do not hold! 465
What is this pot? It is an emblem of our lives!
The water in it, matchless virtue of our wives!
Accept, then, gracious prince, this little pot from me;
And out of all God’s gifts repay its value, free!’
That pot’s five lips are emblems of our senses. Sure!
Keep them all clean; so may thy honour, too, be pure!
The pot will then relation keep with ocean’s wave;
And I, perchance, advantage from that ocean have.
If clean thou carry it before the sovereign’s eyes,
He may be pleased therewith;--buy it from mere surprise. 470
The pot will, then, of water never lacking be;
My little water-pot shall suffice thee and me.
Close tight its lips, and bear it full from our supply.
A holy text ’tis says: ‘From lust close every eye.’[311]
His beard, his moustache, both, will swell with joy at this.
For prince supreme like him, my offering’s not amiss.”

Thou, woman, didst not know that there, in Bagdād’s midst,
A Tigris flowed with water, sweet as honey.--Didst?
A very ocean is it, rapid in its course;
With boats and ships, with fishers’ hooks, both fine and coarse. 475
Go then, good man! The Caliph thee his state shall show!
Thou’lt comprehend the text: “Beneath which rivers flow.”[312]
Thus, likewise, are our intellects, our thoughts, our sense;
A drop compared with God’s boundless omniscience!

The husband now chimed in: “Yes! Plug the pot’s mouth tight.
Thou’st hit the very offering;--useful, good, and right!
Sew it up carefully in case of felt, threefold.
Our Caliph’s breakfast-water[313] shall it be;--so cold!
No other water’s like it in this world of ours;—
It’s heaven’s pure ambrosia, ’still’d from vernal showers! 480
Poor cits know none but waters hard and bitter all;—
Whence various maladies, with blindness, them befall!”

The bird that lives where salt-marsh noisome airs exhales,
Knows naught of joys pure water gives, and spicy gales!
So thou, good man, who dwelledst ’midst the desert’s waste,
Hadst never seen a Tigris, known Euphrates’ taste!
As he, again, not yet from worldly cares set free,
Is ignorant of ecstasy, of rapture’s glee;
Or, having heard thereof as tales from men of old,
Knows them as names alone, in storybooks oft told; 485
Child’s A, B, C; as taught to every lisping elf;
But whose real meaning’s hidden from the teacher’s self.

Our Arab man now takes that water-pot in charge.
By day and night he travels;--load not over large!
Anxiety fast holds him, lest the pot should break;
Most watchfully he guards it from misfortune’s freak.
His wife spends all her days in prayers on his behalf;
Her worship o’er, she adds: “Lord! shield my better half!
Secure our pot of water from all thievish hands!
Send it may prove a pearl in sea of Bagdād’s lands! 490
My husband, true, is shrewd; and know’s what he’s about;
But pearls have enemies, we trow, in every rout!
What is a pearl? A drop from fount of life sent down;[314]
A drop from non-existence,--whence all substance known!”

Those prayers’ reward,--as guerdon of her sighs and tears;—
His care’s requital, watchfulness, and constant fears;—
Their pot reached Bagdād safe from robbers’ grip;
Secure from shock of stone, from chance of fall or slip.
A city, there, he sees, with every blessing filled;
Where craving mortals ply each art, as they are skilled. 495
Each moment, here or there, some extra-lucky wight,
His object gains, receives from court what glads his sight!
To Muslims, Unbelievers, equal grace is doled,
Like rain and sunshine. Not so paradise, we’re told!
One set of men he sees arrayed in honour’s robes;
Another set endure, through hope and fear, sharp probes.
As gentle, or as simple, prince or worm, pismire,
All are alive, as though last trump’s notes them inspire!
The worldly, in apparel sumptuous to behold;
The godly, all immersed in transports clearly told! 500
The hopeless have become as though their hopes were fair;
The hopeful show enjoyment of fruition’s share!

A voice proclaimed: “Come forward, all ye sons of want!”
Beneficence seeks beggars, as for gifts they pant.
Beneficence hunts up for beggars and for need,
As beauty seeks her mirror, with a special greed.
A pretty face is charming in its mirror seen;
Beneficence gleams lovely through want’s chilly sheen.
God hath enjoined in holy writ: “By forenoon’s glare!”[315]
“Muhammed, chide not thou too much at beggar’s prayer!”[316] 505

A beggar is a mirror wherein bounty shines.
Dull not that mirror, then, with breath of anger’s whines!
The beggar ’tis shows forth what charity achieves;
A charitable man for this those wants relieves.
A beggar, then, ’s a mirror of th’ Almighty’s grace;
And whoso’s with the Lord, therein sees his Lord’s face.

He that hath love for other than the Lord of all,
Is dead at heart,--not living;--shadow on a wall!
Whoe’er adopts God’s poverty, without false show,
Secures the prize of God’s rich pleasure here below! 510
Who puts on sham of poverty deserves no bread.
(Bones are not given to effigies of dogs. They’re dead!)
His want craves pelf; ’tis not the love of God he’d seek.
Lay not thy bounty at the feet of one too sleek.

A landshark is a mendicant for mere pelf’s sake.
He’s fish in form; but will not to the water take.
Domestic fowl is he; not eagle of free air.
With Lot he sips of wine; God’s water’s his despair.
He loves his God, if but his God will grant him wealth;
But nothing cares for God’s mere grace;--for spirit’s health. 515
Should he conceive th’ idea of love for God alone,
God’s essence he’d deny, God’s attributes disown.
Man’s fancy is a creature;--born with mortal lot.
God was not born. His scripture says: “Nor was begot.”[317]
The man in love with self, and with his fancy’s freak,
Can never be a lover who to God will seek.
Were fancy’s lover true, and free from crafty guile,
His fancy’s tropes had led him to the truth erewhile.

That _dictum_ would require a commentary, full,
But fear withholds me. Prejudice will have its pull! 520
Old prejudice, quite purblind to the truth, I see,
A hundred phantoms conjures up to frighten me.
Not every man has heard aright the still small voice;
Not every bird’s a fig-pecker, that sweets rejoice;
How then a bird that’s dead,--turned putrid long ago;—
A man of prejudice, all sightless, eyeless, so!
A painted fish cares not for water, or for land.
Soap to a blackamoor is one, or tar, in hand.

Shouldst thou depict a portrait overwhelmed with grief,
Would grief or joy be felt, though shown in strong relief? 525
The picture would look sorrowful;--no sorrow feel;
Or smiling happiness;--without gay laughter’s peal.
The joy or grief depicted by a pencil’s art,
Is naught but simulated;--knows nor thrill, nor smart.

Lugubrious countenances are for our behoof;
That we may be reminded not to court reproof.
And beaming visages are not without their use,
If they recall us from mere form to sense occluse.
The various effigies we see in this bath-house,[318]
Disguised in draperies, are dolls;--blind fools to chouse. 530
So long as thou’rt outside, naught else but clothes thou’lt see.
Undress thyself. Come in; and see the nude, the free.
There’s no admission granted to a bath, while dressed.
But clothes, the body, this, the soul, leave all unguessed.