XVI. Ali’s Forbearance.
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Jalal al-Din Rumi, Maulana and Redhouse, James W. (James William), Sir
They then are safe from error, risk no wandering vain;
Protection of the moonlight shields from terror’s chain.
The mutely-teaching promptings of the silvery moon,
If couched in words, would homewards guide us doubly soon.”
Thou art “the Gate;” the Prophet, “Science’ City” is,412
Thou art the ray that beams from lustrous sun of his.
Then open, Gate! Unfold thyself to those who seek!
Let rind of science overgrow their minds, all meek.
Stand open, Gate! Thou portal of God’s mercy sure!
Thy court’s the court of Him “who hath no peer,” secure!41345
True, every breath and atom’s watching to get in.
But if kept closed, who’d say there is a gate to win?
Unless the Keeper open wide the portal’s wing,
No soul would dream an entry were an easy thing.
E’en when the gate is opened, lo! surprise is felt.
Hope and desire are scared; each suitor’s heart must melt.
As one who finds a treasure in a ruined maze,
Seeks evermore for ruins;—treasures are his craze.
Unless a man receive a pearl from beggar’s hand,
He’ll never venture pearls from beggars to demand.50
For years, should mere opinion wander up and down,
It never will outpass the rents of its torn gown.
Until a fragrance strike thy nostrils from above,
Thou’lt follow thy own nose, but never meet thy love.
Thus spake that new-converted warrior in surprise;
Expressing wonder, such as words may symbolise.
Then added: “O! Command, of Faithful Church thou Prince.414
That as a babe a spirit new I may evince.”
The planets seven o’er every unborn babe keep watch,
Each for a stated period, ere its birth’s despatch.55
When life’s infused into the nascent atom’s form,
The sun takes charge, as watcher o’er the feeble worm.
The babe its life derives from Sol’s all-quickening rays.
That radiant orb’s the fount of life’s all-wondrous ways.
The other planets help to modify its limbs;
Each, when the sun has life infused, then onward climbs.
What is the channel of connection with the sun,
Discovered in the womb by fœtus ere’t can run?
Deep-hidden from our senses, many an occult road
Leads to the sun in heaven, and needs nor whip, nor goad.60