I. The Prince and the Handmaid.
Project Gutenberg EPUB edition
Jalal al-Din Rumi, Maulana and Redhouse, James W. (James William), Sir
A prince there was, long since in time it is.
Of Church and State the power and wealth were his.
The chase on horse one day to follow, bent;
With pompous courtier-train afield he went.
A handmaid58 fair was wand’ring near a grove.
Her he espied, and straightway fell in love.
His heart was snared; her form its cage, its stall.
He lavished gold; and made her thus his thrall.
But now, behold the wayward spite of fate!
The maid fell sick, this prince’s joy to bate.5
An ass had Hodge; no saddle to the fore.
A saddle bought; a wolf straight Jacky tore.
A jug had Dick; the well, alas, was dry.
The well then filled; the jug was broke hard by.
Now leeches called the prince, from left, from right.
“Two lives,” quoth he, “depend upon your might.
My health is naught; she’s life of life to me.
I’m sad at heart; my sov’reign balm is she.
Who finds a remedy to save her life,
Much gold, with jewels, his; and thanks more rife.”10
All promised marvels; each, to use his skill;
To search the case; to ease the maiden’s ill.
“Each one of us has Jesu’s59 healing power.
Of all their ills we cure men every hour.”
Through pride, “God willing” said they not, I trow.60
Man’s nothingness, in them the Lord would show.
That is to say—to leave out this good word
Is sin; said by mere rote, it will not please the Lord,
How many shrink from tonguing it aloud,
Whose hearts each action with “God willing” shroud.15
The doctors now prescribe full many a drug.
In vain they ponder, vain their shoulders shrug.
The maid a very skeleton became;
The prince’s tears their want of skill did blame.
With oxymel, through fate, did bile increase;
E’en almond oil ran dry where rubbed as grease.
Lax myrobalans act as nutgalls first;
As naphtha feeds a fire, drinks brought but thirst.
The prince no sooner saw their art was vain,
Than barefoot sped, heaven’s worship-house61 to gain.20