XV. Zeyd’s Inspiration.
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Jalal al-Din Rumi, Maulana and Redhouse, James W. (James William), Sir
Material, outer fire, ’s by water soon put out;
The fire of lust may carry man to hell, no doubt.
No water can avail to quench the flames of lust;
For lust is hell-born. Torments end not; last they must.
Religion’s light, alone, can quench lust’s fiercest flame,—
The light that can put out the Syntheist’s wicked game.405
What can extinguish fire of sin, save light of God?
My master, see that Abr’am’s light be ne’er downtrod;
That from the fire of lust, by inner Nimrod fanned,406
Thy body may escape; not be, as firewood, banned.205
The lust of man’s desires cannot be driven forth;
But may resisted be, reduced to what it’s worth.
So long as thou shalt fuel pile upon that flame,
Canst thou expect the fire will die away and tame?
So soon as fuel is withheld, a fire goes out;
Through piety is lust brought down, and put to rout.
Shall that sweet face e’er blacken through sin’s dismal smoke,
That’s brightened by such sheen as virtue must invoke?
A conflagration raged in days of great ‘Umer,
Stones were devoured therein, as firewood in the air.407210
The buildings it consumed, and left whole households waste;
The nests and nestlings were destroyed;—last trump’s foretaste.
One half Medīna fell a prey to ruthless flame,
Whereat th’ aqueous element might well feel shame.
Whole cisterns were exhausted in the combat wild;
And vinegar was added. Hope was thus beguiled.
The fire grew fiercer under stimulus of strife;
Extension gave it wings, success infused new life.
The people now came flocking to the Caliph’s gate,
In marvel, that, through water, fire would not abate.215
He told them that the fire burnt by divine command;
That all those flames arose from their too frugal hand:
“What use are water, vinegar? Distribute bread;
Eschew cold avarice, if by me you’ll be led.”
They answered: “Wide our doors stand open every day,
We’ve ever lavish been; almsgiving is our play.”
‘Umer replied: “In form and custom, bread you’ve given.
But not from love of God. You’re hands to dole were driven.
’Twas pride and ostentation led to your display;
Not charity, not pity, sense of duty, say.220