VII. The Merchant and the Parrot.
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Jalal al-Din Rumi, Maulana and Redhouse, James W. (James William), Sir
If from the effect of great pain, then, she die,
Remote cause is Jack, still, of her misery.
Account he must render for those pangs of hers.
Although they’re God’s acts, man to man them refers.
And so propagation, seed-sowing, and all;
Effects of them operate. God’s sole, the call.
A saint acquires powers, most astounding, from God.216
The flying bolt he can avert with a nod.
The door can be shut between cause, consequence,
On saint’s reclamation, by God’s prescience.125
He makes said unsaid, from beginning to end.
Hence, neither does skewer burn, roast to coal trend.217
From every mind that has knowledge of fact,
Remembrance effaced is, though brains may be racked.
Of this, dost thou proof require, most worthy friend,
The text read: “What verse We annul, or We mend.”218
Again: “They my warning made you to forget.”219
By these is oblivion’s great power ’fore us set.
To make us remember, forget, they power have.
They’ve hearts subjugated o’er creation’s wave.130
Whene’er dull forgetfulness blinds eye of man,
No act can he do, howe’er wide his scan.
Dost dare, thou, great saints to make laughingstock?220
To words of the Prophet give heed, silly block.
Earth’s lords have dominion o’er bodies of clay.
Enlightened saints rule hold o’er hearts;—their own sway.
All acts are fruits, doubtless, of experience.
Man, then, is but pupil. All’s, else, mere pretence.221
I’ll close now this subject; much more I might say;
Prevented I am by the rules I obey.135
Remembrance, forgetfulness, both are of God.
Support and aid, too, must depend on His nod.
Of thoughts, God, men’s good and bad souls voids, each night,
By millions. Since this has seemed good in His sight.
By day, their hearts fill with their thoughts all, again,
Those oystershells He fills with rich pearls amain.
He knows all the thoughts that here trouble our frames.
’Tis He that gives guidance to souls in their games.
Thy talent, thy judgment, unto thee are given,
That means thou may’st have to redeem thy fallen leaven.140