IX. The Poor Scenite Arab and his Wife.
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Jalal al-Din Rumi, Maulana and Redhouse, James W. (James William), Sir
If saint a poison swallow, wholesome it will prove;
But if disciple taste it, death will him remove.
“Lord, grant unto me,” was the prayer of Solomon,
“The power and kingdom solely (not to Abaddon);
This favour grant not unto other after me!”308
Which reads like envy. Such, however, it can’t be.
Put not, in heart, construction that must disagree
Upon those words so read: “to other after me.”
He saw a thousand dangers in the sway conferred;
Saw that earth’s empire is a snare to be abhorred;365
A danger to one’s life, one’s faith, one’s inner self;
Such trial has no equal on the whole world’s shelf.
E’en Solomon sagacity did much require,
To shield him from mistakes in all his vast empire.
The wondrous power he wielded could alone suffice,
To quell rebellion’s perils, rising in a trice.
So when he rested from due ordering his wide realm,
He felt that other kings misrule might overwhelm.
Then interceded he: “This rule, this much-prized flower,
Vouchsafe to none, save with the selfsame power.370
To whom Thou mayest it grant upon these very terms,
He’s Solomon, he is myself, my sway confirms.
He’ll not come after me, he’ll reign with me indeed;
With me and in me, free from rival’s dreaded meed.”
This to expound appeared a duty paramount;
Return we, and our tale of man and wife recount.
A sequel to that incident ’tween man and wife
Is looked for by the mind of him who’s watched their life.
The incident of man and wife recounted here
Of each man’s soul and flesh the parable is, clear.375
The wife the flesh is; man’s the soul; he’s wisdom, too;
They’re emblems also of all good and evil, true.
The two, of need, existing in this earthly home,
By day and night at war are;—always quarrelsome.
The wife requires her various household garniture,
Her bed and board, her comfort, and her furniture.
The flesh, like woman, to be gratified still seeks;
Submissive sometimes; oft would play ambitious freaks.
The soul has no idea, itself, of such instinct;
But seeks to muse upon its love for God, distinct.380