There's nothing in the world that better curbs the lusts, 25 Than holy company. Protected, he who trusts. The Prophet said to 'Ali: "Cousin, list to me. The Lion of the Truth'1 art thou; a hero. See! Trust not too much, however, to thy courage, sole; Confide, much rather, on God's arm to keep thee whole. Put faith in aid from His divine, omniscient mind, That never can be baffled by disputant blind. His shadow on the earth is what keeps it in place; His spirit, sunbird-like, soars in supernal space. Were I to speak His praises until judgment day, 30 No end, no interruption, would admit my say. Himself He's veiled in man, as sun behind a cloud. This seek to comprehend. God knows what mysteries shroud. The sun He is;-the sun of spirit, not of sky; By light from Him man lives;—and angels eke, forby. Then, 'Ali, of all service man can offer here, Do thou choose trust in God, dependence firm, sincere. Each man betakes himself some special worship to; And each some special friend selects, without ado. Do thou take refuge in God's wisdom, full, divine; 35 He'll foil the secret foe that would thee undermine. Of all the modes of worship, this choose thou, the best; Thou'lt distance all competitors, the prize thou'lt wrest. Thy Teacher having chosen thus, obedience yield, Implicit; even as Moses journeying o'er that field.2 Whate'er events betide, beware, and question not; For fear thy guide should turn, and drive thee from the spot.3 Should He destroy a ship,—no murmur from thy mouth; Should He an infant choke,—let slip no word uncouth. 1 'Ali's title is "The victorious Lion of God." 2 This journey is recounted in Qur'an xviii. 64-81. 3 Qur'an xviii. 69. 4 Qur'an xviii. 70. 5 Qur'an xviii. 73. God hath declared his hand is like the hand of God, By saying: 'God's right hand above all hands doth plod.' 1 40 For present guests what may not largely be outshared? 45 Must rank before the absentee, for goodly fare. Hear now this pregnant tale narrators have preserved; Upon the breast, the arms, the bladebones, and the like, A certain Qazwin bully to an artist hied, To have a brave design imprinted on his hide. The artist then began to ply his needles' train; 1 Qur'an xlviii. 10. 55 The artist he addressed: "Most clever man of skill, Thou'lt drive me mad. What picture works me so much ill?" Said he: "A lion's form is what thou didst enjoin." "O yes!" replied the bully. "What part dost thou coin?" 60 Thy needles have unnerved me with their sharp assail." The artist then began upon another part, And worked his instruments. They soon induced new smart. The patient screamed again: "What member limnest thou now ?" Our artist answered: ""Tis the lion's ear, I trow." His man replied: "O leave him without ears this time; An earless lion's not so bad. Cut short the rhyme." Anew the artist on a part assayed his hand. Afresh the bully interfered, by pain unmanned. "What part art now at work on? Say, my worthy friend!" 65" O," said the artist, "now his body I append." "Leave out his body!" gasped the suffering Qazwin man; "The pain's unbearable. Make short work, as thou can." The artist now quite lost his wits, as well he might; God such a lion ne'er created, sure, I ween!" Have patience, thou too, brother, with thy needle's smart. Are worshipped in the spheres, the sun, the moon, stars, all. Whoever's killed pride's demon in his earthly frame, For God hath said, in speaking of the scorching sun, to run. The sharpest thorns are welcome, as the roseleaf soft, What signifies to glorify the Lord of heaven; To humble self to dust; with meekness, pride to leaven? 1 Qur'an xviii. 16. 75 So XI. The Lion's Hunt, in Company. A LION, Wolf, and fox together went to hunt; Among the hills, in quest of game, they turned their brunt. A heavy bag they each would make of what each prized. 'Tis true, the noble lion felt of this ashamed. Still, he politely showed towards them his spirit tamed. A king feels inconvenienced by throngs of troops; 5 But out of kindness makes them share his warlike swoops True, they gave no advice; no counsel did result. The company, then, set out for the woods amain, 10 As followers of the lion's majesty, and train. 1 Qur'an iii. 153. |