XVI. Ali’s Forbearance.
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Jalal al-Din Rumi, Maulana and Redhouse, James W. (James William), Sir
Thou wast designed and fashioned by a hand divine.
To God dost thou belong;—no creature art of mine.
Defacement of God’s work should be by God’s decree;
To break God’s pitcher, man a stone of God should see.”
The Magian heard. The light flashed on his heart and soul.
The clouds of misbelief, as fog, away did roll.
He spake: “The seed of wrongfulness is what I’ve sown.
Thou’rt altogether different from what I’ve known.
Thou art a balance, with an equitable soul;
Or rather, index art thou, of just balance-bowl.265
Thou art become my kith and kin,—my brother true;
Thou art a ray to light the path I shall pursue.
The slave I have become of that fair Source of light,
From whence thou hast derived the beam that charms my sight.
The slave of every billow of that glorious Sea,
That casts such pearls ashore, as I admire in thee.
Teach me to formulate the motto of thy creed;
For, henceforth thou’rt my guide, of whom I stand in need.”
Full fifty of his household,—of his stock and race,
With zealous love the noble law of Islām did embrace.270
Thus ’twas, the hero, by decisive wisdom’s stroke,
Averted death from many, slavery’s fetters broke.
The sword of wisdom’s sharper than the finest steel;
Its words more efficacious than an army’s wheel.