I. The Prince and the Handmaid.
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Jalal al-Din Rumi, Maulana and Redhouse, James W. (James William), Sir
He cries: “O succour me; I faint, I pant;
And quickly; lest delay the dagger plant!”
The Mystic64 true relieves each moment’s need;
“To-morrow” ’s not a point in his pure creed.
Art not persuaded so? The proverb scan:
“Delay’s the thief of time;” say: “bane of man.”
Love’s sweetest favours are conferred by stealth;
Its darksome hints are treasured mines of wealth.
The tale’s most pleasant to a lover’s ears,
That tells of joys he’s tasted, ills he fears.105
Speak, meddler, then, in plain, unvarnished guise;
No subterfuge employ; deal not in lies.
The veil tear off, dissimulation lost:
“When unadorned, beauty’s adorned the most.”
Should my sweet love unveil’d her charms display,
Thy smirks and smiles would all be borne away.
Thy suit prefer; use moderation still:
A blade of grass ne’er overturns a hill.
The sun that lights and warms this nether world,
If brought too near, had all to ruin hurled.110
Seek not to sow dissension in the earth;
Vaunt not the Sun of Tebrīz’65 holy birth.
Contention’s never-ending. Better far,
Commit to memory this wordy war.
The guest, convinced that love had caused her ill,
Proceeded next the prince’s mind to still.
“These chambers clear of every mortal soul;
Leave me alone the patient to control.
No prying ear may linger in the hall;
I’ve things to ask may not be heard by all.”115
The place was cleared; no soul remained within,
Save leech and patient; other, none was seen.
In gentlest tones he asked: “Where was thy home?
For each town’s folk a different cure must come.
What friends, what family hast left behind,—
Companions, playmates, who to thee were kind?”
On pulse his finger. He then, one by one,
Inquired anew each point, omitting none.
So he whose foot is wounded with a thorn,
Upon his knee doth take the limb that’s torn.120