II. The Oilman and the Parrot.
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Jalal al-Din Rumi, Maulana and Redhouse, James W. (James William), Sir
For healthy perceptions, our frame must be sound;
Religion’s enjoyments through suff’rings are found.
The health of the soul’s through a waste of the flesh,
But after much searching it builds up afresh.
How blest is the soul that, for love of its God,77
Has flung away wealth, health, e’en life, as a sod!
Has pulled down its house a hid treasure to find,
And built it again from that treasure refined!
Who cuts off the streamlet to clear out its bed;
Then turns on the water with which it is fed!65
Who gashes his skin to extract the spear-head!
(The skin may now heal, for the irritant’s fled.)
Who wrecks a strong castle to drive out the foe,
Then rears it still stronger, to hold evermo’!
The will of Almighty God who shall control?
These sentences written are parables all.
Sometimes in one way, in another sometimes,
Religion confuses before it sublimes.
Not terror, bewilderment, loathing, dismay;
But ecstacy, rapture, love, come into play.70
In trance of love fixed, one contemplates the Lord,
Another, self losing, unites with his God.
Observe the rapt features of that one, of this;
Perchance by such watching thy soul may gain bliss.
Too numerous demons in human form walk;
Beware, then, with whom thou engagest in talk.
The fowler his whistle may ply in the field,
To lure the poor birds, saying: “Come and be killed.”
Each songster conceives ’tis the voice of its mate,
Descends from the air, and meets with its fate.75
The sinner, in pious cant, uses a wile,
To trap the unwary who ponders no guile.
The upright deal faithfully, truly, in trust;
The wicked imagine but fraud and distrust.
A lion of wool is a beggar’s device;78
Musaylama’s named Muhammed in a trice.79
Musaylama liar, deceiver we know,
Muhammed was faithful in weal and in woe.
The wine of God’s love was the food of his soul.
The wine that inebriates dash from thy bowl.80