V. The Lion and the Beasts.
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Jalal al-Din Rumi, Maulana and Redhouse, James W. (James William), Sir
Said Solomon: “What wilt thou I should do for thee?”
He answered: “That the wind may now commanded be145
To carry me away forthwith to Hindūstān.
Perchance by fleeing thither, save my life I can.”
See how mankind do shun the garb of poverty.
Hence they’re a prey to greed and dire necessity.
This fear of poverty is like that man’s dismay,
Its Hindūstān, remark, is greed and grasping’s sway.
So Solomon the wind commanded, him, forthwith,
To bear to Hindūstān; and land him near some frith.65
Another day as Solomon his court did hold,
Death’s angel came; the king to him the matter told:
“Thy wrathful look, the other day, upon that man,
Has driven him his home to quit for Hindūstān.
Didst thou in wrath survey the pious man that way,
That he might wander forth a waif, like sheep astray?
Or was thy look’s intent, so dreadful to behold,
His soul to separate from its corporeal fold?”
To him replied the angel: “King of sprites and men!
His fancy him misled; he’ll ne’er do so again.70
’Twas not in anger then that I did look on him;
’Twas wonder him to see here, looking hale and prim.
For God had me commanded: ‘Go this very day,
And take his soul in Hindūstān, his debt to pay.’
In wonder, then, I said within myself: ‘Had he
A hundred wings, in Hindūstān he could not be.’
But going, still, by God’s command, to Hindūstān,
Him there I found, and took his soul with my own hand.”
So thou, good reader, understand, the things of earth
’Tis God ordains. Reflect. ’Twas written ere his birth.75
From whom to flee? From self? Oh! That’s absurd!
From whom to steal? From God? Worse, worse! No word!
The lion now remarked: “The words you speak are true.
But just consider how the prophets, saints, ensue.
What they have wrought hath God blessed, made to prosper still;
Their joys and griefs, their sufferings, pains, were by His will.
Their stratagems dictated by their God were, all.146
‘Who comes of gentle blood, will gentle words let fall.’147
Their traps have taken angels with the baits they placed.
Their seeming slips and faults were all by wisdom traced.80