XV. Zeyd’s Inspiration.
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Jalal al-Din Rumi, Maulana and Redhouse, James W. (James William), Sir
Unless, mayhap, he see with light divine’s blest aid;
For this can penetrate through densest shell e’er made.
The life-conveying fluid’s colourless and clear;
But living men their various shades of colour bear.
The soul sustains complexions in our mortal frames,
Until our halves material find rest from their games.
But turn we now away to other subjects, high;
For fear events should leave us to regret and sigh.
“When settling-day ‘brings forth the colour of each face,’380
Mankind are separated sharply, race from race.25
Within the womb nor Turk, nor Hindū, yet is seen;381
So soon as born, all, high and low, know what to ween.
As in the day of judgment all men all will know,
So now to me each man and woman forms a show.
Say: Shall I all declare; or shall I hold my peace?”
To this the Prophet in reply made motion: “Cease.”
“Ha! Prophet of the Lord! I’ll tell that secret, all!
To men I will declare the deeds of that dread hall!
Permit me to tear off the veil that hides it now;
My heart shall light the world as sun in midday glow.30
I will eclipse that lamp, by giving out more light.
I will set plainly forth the thorn and fig-tree right.
Th’ events of judgment day I’ll lay before all men.
I’ll separate the gold from spurious coin, as then.
They of the left hand shall be maimed to public view,382
And all shall then the fruits of misbelief eschew.
I will expose the seven pits of wrath divine,383
By aid of light from truth’s great luminary’s shine.
I’ll rend away the rags that veil the wicked’s shame.
I’ll sound the trump, that all may hear the Prophet’s name.35
Hell, heaven, the gulf between, I’ll set before men’s eyes,
That misbelievers may be warned of error’s dyes.
The fountain of ‘Kawthar’ shall throw its highest jet;384
Its rush shall greet their ears, its spray their faces wet.
They who will flock around it, burning with fierce thirst,
I’ll make apparent unto all, from last to first.
Their shoulders jostle ’gainst my shoulders in the crowd;
Their shrieks are sounding in my ears, as thunder loud.
While heaven’s citizens, rejoicing with delight,
Hug one another lovingly, to glad my sight.40