XVI. Ali’s Forbearance.
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Jalal al-Din Rumi, Maulana and Redhouse, James W. (James William), Sir
One road, by which gold draws its nutriment from thence;
Another, whence the ruby’s colour grows intense.
A road, by which the garnet gathers igneous glow;
A path, pursued by lightning to the horseshoe low.
A channel, through which fruits their ripeness draw, select;
A track, for wit to flow, and senseless form inject.
“Declare, thou falcon, with thy glistening plumage, bright,—
Our chief’s companion, on his gauntlet sitting, light;—
Make known, thou phœnix-hunting bird of prey,—
Thou conqueror of foes,—sole,—clear of troops’ array.65
A nation in its millions, one sole man art thou.
Speak! Speak! I cast myself upon thy mercy now!
Instead of anger, what has moved thee to relent,—
To proffer to a foe forgiveness transcendent?”
To him made ‘Alī answer: “For the truth I fight.
God’s servant am I. Slave I’m not to fleshly might.
‘God’s lion’ I’ve been named; not ‘Ravening Wolf of Lust;’
My actions are the proof my faith is in the Just.
God is the Archer. I’m His bow;—and arrow, too.
He is the Smiter. I’m the weapon;—sword, bamboo.70
‘Thou castedst not, when stones thou castedst in the fight.’415
God is the Warrior mighty. I’m dust in His sight.
Thought of myself I’ve banished, wholly, from my path.
Save God, all else as naught I hold;—a mower’s swath.
I’m but a shadow;—shadow cast by Sun of Truth.
Door-keeper am I;—veil, I’m not, to hide His sooth.
I’m a sword. My trenchancy’s union with God.
In battle, life I give. I slay not whom’s downtrod.
Blood does not soil the blade I wield in righteous cause;
Nor gusts of passion raise a craving for applause.75
A straw I’m not. A mountain am I;—firm, staid, fast.
No whirlwind can remove me with its tearing blast.
’Tis sticks and straws, alone, are driven by the storm.
Their nature is to move;—to every breath conform.
The gust of anger, breath of lust, and blast of greed,—
Each agitates the man not anchored in Truth’s creed.
Firm mountain am I. God it is that firmness gives.
Were I a straw, His whirlwind is the force that drives.
A breath from God alone has power to move my soul.
My love for God’s the motive o’er me has control.80