Laurel · Rumi · The Mesnevi, Book the First

Tale I: The Prince and the Handmaid

Rumi (1207–1273), translated by James W. Redhouse · 1881

iambic pentameter · heroic couplets · 438 lines · from The Mesnevi, Book the First

A prince there was, long since in time it is.Of Church and State the power and wealth were his.The chase on horse one day to follow, bent;With pompous courtier-train afield he went.A handmaid fair was wand’ring near a grove.Her he espied, and straightway fell in love.His heart was snared; her form its cage, its stall.He lavished gold; and made her thus his thrall.But now, behold the wayward spite of fate!The maid fell sick, this prince’s joy to bate.

An ass had Hodge; no saddle to the fore.A saddle bought; a wolf straight Jacky tore.A jug had Dick; the well, alas, was dry.The well then filled; the jug was broke hard by.

Now leeches called the prince, from left, from right.“Two lives,” quoth he, “depend upon your might.My health is naught; she’s life of life to me.I’m sad at heart; my sov’reign balm is she.Who finds a remedy to save her life,Much gold, with jewels, his; and thanks more rife.”

All promised marvels; each, to use his skill;To search the case; to ease the maiden’s ill.“Each one of us has Jesu’s healing power.Of all their ills we cure men every hour.”Through pride, “God willing” said they not, I trow.Man’s nothingness, in them the Lord would show.That is to say--to leave out this good wordIs sin; said by mere rote, it will not please the Lord,How many shrink from tonguing it aloud,Whose hearts each action with “God willing” shroud.

The doctors now prescribe full many a drug.In vain they ponder, vain their shoulders shrug.The maid a very skeleton became;The prince’s tears their want of skill did blame.With oxymel, through fate, did bile increase;E’en almond oil ran dry where rubbed as grease.Lax myrobalans act as nutgalls first;As naphtha feeds a fire, drinks brought but thirst.

The prince no sooner saw their art was vain,Than barefoot sped, heaven’s worship-house to gain.The holy altar, there, he bowed before;With flood of tears he bathed its sacred floor.Then, heart-relieved with sorrow’s fierce outbreak,’Mid praise and blessing, thus his suit he spake:“To Thee, whose meanest gift is world-wide sway,Who know’st each secret wish, why need I pray?Our refuge art Thou in our every need;We’ve erred again; do Thou in mercy lead.’Tis Thy behest, to whom all thoughts are known,That man with words approach Thy awful throne.”

His humble supplication proffered so,Sweet mercy’s fount at once did overflow.His tears undried, deep slumber on him fell,And heavenly-dulcet tones he heard thus tell:“Glad tidings, prince, to thee this day I bring:Next daydawn at thy gate a guest shall ring;A heav’n-sent stranger, versed in healing art,In him have faith; he’s true in speech and heart.Imagine not his treatment magic’s spell;God’s power alone can make thy maiden well.”

The promised hour at hand, the daydawn broke;The sunbeams paled the stars; the prince awoke.An outlook sought he, whence to watch the way,And first th’ expected stranger to survey.One he espied of most majestic mien,Of radiance mild,--as sun, dark clouds between;Or moon at full;--so seem’d he from afar.Mere fancy’s pictures ever objects mar.Things non-existent often frenzy paints;We see mankind deluded over feints.Their peace, their war, not seldom for a sham;Their pride, their shame, some sorry epigram.But visions, such as blessed saints entrance,Reflections are from heaven’s inhabitants.

The semblance by our prince seen in his swoon,The features wore that now in flesh are shown.The prince, in lieu of ushers, forward came,To meet the heaven-sent guest, in his own name.Their trains one column formed from mingling bands;Their hearts united, fettered not their hands.The prince: “Would thou’dst my soul enslaved; not she!But here below effect a cause must see.Be my Muhammed! I thy ‘Umar stand,With girded loins awaiting thy command.”

Pray God to grant thee ever meek respect;The puffed-up fool’s remote from Heaven’s elect.A shameless monarch to himself’s a curse,A firebrand to his realm; nay, even worse.

Food in the wilderness by God was sent;Food without toil, food gratis, without stint.Some graceless scoffers out of Moses’ hostDared to demand the onions, lentils lost.Such toilless food then ceased to fall from Heaven;To dig, to sow, to reap, in lieu is given.Fresh suit, much later, Jesus made; God willed;Again food rife became; men’s dishes filled.That food’s a gift from Heaven is clearly said,In Jesu’s prayer: “Give us our daily bread.”Men’s bold presumption Heaven again incensed,When basketsful to beggars were dispensed.Jesus proclaimed the miracle would last;—That food would never lack as in the past.Men doubted, asked for more to store away;They trusted not God’s word for bread each day.Importunate those suitors, full of greed;Heaven’s gate of mercy closed against their breed.

Withheld is rain when alms have ceased to flow;Where fornication reigns, black death will grow.Whatever grief and sorrow’s on us sent,Of wickedness and guilt’s a punishment.The hardened sinner, who his God offends,A ruthless robber is; he spoils his friends.He who is shameless in his words and deeds,Despair from disappointment is his meed.

Yon orbs of heaven obey their Maker’s word;The holy angels meekly serve the Lord.The sun’s eclipse is but a check to pride;E’en Satan’s fall presumption caused to tide.Return we now the sequel to attest,Of what befell our prince with his new guest.

His circling arms the welcome form embraced,And, lover-like, with joy his neck enlaced.Kisses bestowed he on his hand and brow;Hoped kindly he’d fared well from home till now.His health and welfare asking, led him in.“Its own reward is patience,” thought he then.Patience at first is bitter; but at lengthIts fruit is sweet. It gives us heart’s content.

Then he aloud: “A gift from God thou’rt come,The proverb’s pith: ‘By patience overcome.’This meeting’s the reward of all my prayer;Thou’lt solve the riddle of my dark despair.Th’ expounder, thou, of all my soul’s desires,Thou’lt extricate me from despond’s deep mires.Be welcome, then; a very friend in need;Hadst thou delayed, my case were sad indeed.Prince of physicians! Who’d not welcome thee,Deserves rejection. Do his eyes not see?”

Urbanity’s requirements thus bested,Our prince the stranger to a chamber led.The maiden’s tale and case he there unfolds.The patient, next, unveiled, the guest beholds.Complexion, pulse, egesta, all are seen;Disposing causes, symptoms, sought, I ween.Then he: “The remedies till now adduced,Have detrimental been, no good produced.The case has been from first misunderstood.Protect us, Heaven! A blundering brotherhood!”

He saw her trouble; thence divined her ill.Her secret kept he; hidden held it still.The sickness was not caused by bile or spleen.The scent of perfume’s better smelt than seen.He traced her suffering to a mind oppressed;Her body sound, her soul a wish suppressed.Her hesitations made him guess her love;The symptoms plain,--her heart was sick, poor dove!

A lover’s smart is not from fleshly pine;A probe is love; it sounds hearts’ depths, divine.Let love proceed from this or other cause,It matters not; heavenward it mortals draws.However well we strive love to portray,We blush thereat, when love our hearts doth sway.Words make most matters plain and manifest;But love unspoken speaks whole volumes best.When pen took up from zeal the writing trade,In love’s description, oh! such blots it made!Our wits in love’s affairs stand sore perplexed;Love only can elucidate love’s text.

The sun alone can well explain the sun.Wilt see’t expounded? Turn to him alone.A shade, ’tis true, of him gives some small hint;The shining sun surpasses all comment.A shade, like evening chitchat, sends to sleep,From sun’s effulgence does full knowledge leap.That day-orb, still, each eve sets, here below;The soul-sun, God, shines in eternal glow.’Mong things extern that orb has not a peer;But mock suns we can make, our nights to cheer.On heart unless the soul-sun cast a ray,No thought, no picture can its sheen portray.Can mind His glorious essence comprehend?His presence, then, to image who’ll pretend?

Of poet’s verse when God’s the holy theme,Its minished head the sun may hide, ’twould seem.At mention of His name each breast must find,A duty ’tis His grace to call to mind.The breath of life He to this body gave,With Him to reunite, should mercy save.These years I’ve conversed with Him. Life serene!One repetition more! O blissful scene!How pleasant heaven and earth their smiling hold!He offers soul, mind, eye, a hundredfold!

Beyond my strength, O try me not these days!My reason ’d fail to falter forth Thy praise.The song of man, when uninspired by Thee,Mere fulsome, flattering trash is seen to be.Bid me describe, whose every nerve is seared,A lover’s woe, whom mistress never cheered.His lonesomeness, the anguish of his breast,Not here I’ll paint; elsewhere it may be best.He cries: “O succour me; I faint, I pant;And quickly; lest delay the dagger plant!”

The Mystic true relieves each moment’s need;“To-morrow” ’s not a point in his pure creed.Art not persuaded so? The proverb scan:“Delay’s the thief of time;” say: “bane of man.”Love’s sweetest favours are conferred by stealth;Its darksome hints are treasured mines of wealth.The tale’s most pleasant to a lover’s ears,That tells of joys he’s tasted, ills he fears.

Speak, meddler, then, in plain, unvarnished guise;No subterfuge employ; deal not in lies.The veil tear off, dissimulation lost:“When unadorned, beauty’s adorned the most.”Should my sweet love unveil’d her charms display,Thy smirks and smiles would all be borne away.Thy suit prefer; use moderation still:A blade of grass ne’er overturns a hill.The sun that lights and warms this nether world,If brought too near, had all to ruin hurled.Seek not to sow dissension in the earth;Vaunt not the Sun of Tebrīz’ holy birth.Contention’s never-ending. Better far,Commit to memory this wordy war.

The guest, convinced that love had caused her ill,Proceeded next the prince’s mind to still.“These chambers clear of every mortal soul;Leave me alone the patient to control.No prying ear may linger in the hall;I’ve things to ask may not be heard by all.”

The place was cleared; no soul remained within,Save leech and patient; other, none was seen.In gentlest tones he asked: “Where was thy home?For each town’s folk a different cure must come.What friends, what family hast left behind,—Companions, playmates, who to thee were kind?”On pulse his finger. He then, one by one,Inquired anew each point, omitting none.

So he whose foot is wounded with a thorn,Upon his knee doth take the limb that’s torn.With needle’s point he seeks the intrusive dart;Not finding it, from lip he soothes the smart.

If thorn in foot is thus a task to find,Judge what must be a rankling pang of mind.Could every chance observer spy those ills,Where’d be the cankering care, the grief that kills?Boys place a thorn beneath an ass’s tail;The cure Ned knows not; jumping’s no avail.Whisking’s still worse; it deeper drives the dart.’Tis reason’s task to ease the burning smart.The ass, if sharper grow the throbs and pains,Kicks, plunges, rolls, his hide with gore bestains.

Our doctor’s mind, by art full well prepared,With gentle measures sought the ill he feared.Once more, with tact, he bids fresh memories come,And leads the maid again to talk of home.The spring once tapped, the stream began to flow;She told th’ inquirer much he wished to know.He lends his ear as she each scene displays;His finger notes her pulse, as on she strays;To learn if any name should raise a start,And thus betray the secret of her heart.Anew he mentions every friend, each place;Repeated such as gave of hope a trace.He asked: “On quitting, thou, thy native town,Where first was it thy guardians set thee down?”

A place she named, and on to others passed;Nor blush, nor pulse gave sign, or notice massed.Of lords and citizens she gave report,Of festivals, and seats of gay resort.Town after town, house after house, by name,She spoke about; no blush, no throb still came.Her pulse retained its normal ebb and flow.Till Samarqand’s name made her cheeks to glow,Her pulse beat high, her colour went and came;Of goldsmith youth she there had been the flame.This point drawn forth,--this secret once confessed,More easily our leech the sequel guessed.“O maiden, let me know this youth’s abode.”“At Holywell, near Bridge-end’s public road.”

“I knew,” said he, “at once, thy case was such.Now trust me. Thee to serve I will do much.Make thyself happy. Cast away all care,As showers cheer meadows, thee I’ll greatly spare.I’ll prove thy guardian angel; never fear;Thy father’s place I’ll take;--thy burden bear.Tell not this secret unto mortal soul,However much the prince may thee cajole.Keep safe this knowledge in thy own heart’s core;So mayest thou, lass, thy lover see once more.Our holy Prophet’s sacred maxim ’twas:‘Who keeps his secret, speedy success has.’The seed to earth committed sure must be,Ere field or garden’s pride men may it see.If gold and silver were not hard to find,How could they grow? They soon would be out-mined.”

The good physician’s soothing words perceived,Our maiden’s mind from carking care’s relieved.Some promises are truly meant, sincere;Others are merely made to cheat the ear.A good man’s promise is a gem of price;Rely not on the words of sons of vice.

Our doctor, now, with subtle speech and wiles,The maiden’s grief had turn’d to sunny smiles.He leaves her then; seeks out the prince; and tellsThe news he’d learnt, the source of all her ills.“What’s now to do?” the prince’s care inquired;“Delay is dangerous; patience may grow tired.”The doctor then: “Send for him; come he must,From his far home to fill some post of trust.Invite him here; a dress of honour give;On him shower gold; new life ’twill make him live.”The prince assented; took the doctor’s plan;Thought it was sound and wise from such a man.Two trusty messengers he quickly sent,Sedate, fair-spoken, loved where’er they went.To Samarqand they journeyed, prompt and sure.The goldsmith found; the prince’s message bore.“Great man of art, the marvels of thy skill,Are viewed with rapture, or with envy still.Our prince has need of thee, his mint to guide;For none like thee is heard of, far and wide.This dress of honour, yonder gold he sends;Requests thou’lt come, and be his best of friends.”

The gold and dress of honour won his heart;Good-bye to home he said, with them to start.He travels joyous; thinks his luck is great;And never dreams of what’s to be his fate.An Arab charger proudly bore him on;He recked not at what price all this was won.O fatuous fool! Thou hastest to thy doom.The post thou dream’st of, soon will be thy tomb.His fancy webs of power and fame did weave;Death’s angel thundered: “Come, and all this leave!”

Arrived betimes at his long journey’s end,The doctor led him to the prince, his friend.Most nobly was he there received in turn.One trims the lampwick, still, to make it burn.The prince addressed him; bade him welcome there;Mint-master nam’d him, treasurer, and mayor.Our doctor once again his counsel gave:“The damsel to this youth for service leave.United to him, she’ll her health regain;Love’s fever will subside with absence’ pain.”

The prince bestows the sick one on her mate.United were the two in solemn state.Six months they feasted on love’s joys so sweet;The handmaid’s health from day to day more meet.

The doctor, now, a potion mixed for him.His health declines; he every day grows slim.The coin that passes much from hand to handSoon loses currency, has no demand.So he, when beauty no more graced his cheek,Began to lack worth with the handmaid sleek.All love that’s built on outer skin-deep charms,Is not true love. At length shame ’tis that warms.Would it were shame alone that pricks him now!He’d not been victimised and brought thus low.His eyes pour forth two streams of bitter tears;His altered features the worst foe he fears.

The peacock’s enemy his plumage call.The monarch bleeds whose splendours neighbours gall.The musk-deer for the musk-pod still is slain;His blood for that alone the ground will stain.The marten for its fur is trapped, surprised,And strangled. Kings its pelt have prized.The elephant, sagacious creature, dies,For iv’ry pierced with weapons as he flies.

“He who slays me for what I leave behind,Reflects not: ‘Blood that’s spilt demands its kind.’To-day ’tis I; to-morrow ’twill be thou;Who’ll be most loser? ’Tis not I, all know.The shadow of a wall, ’tis true, is wide;The sun revolves; the shadow’s turn’d aside.The world’s a mountain; all our works, a voice;Our voice goes forth; its echo has no choice.”Reflecting thus, the goldsmith breath’d his last;The handmaid’s love and grief behind her cast.

A dead mate’s love can never more be shown;A dead mate’s voice will never more be known;Love for the living, in the heart and eyes,Will ever spring; the dead no more can rise.One Living is there, death that never knows;Love Him! The life from Him alone still flows.Love Him, whom saints and prophets all have loved;Through whom alone we all have lived and moved.Say not thou canst not to His throne approach;He’s gracious. His rich grace bears no reproach!

The goldsmith’s death through lethal drugs, be sure,Was not from hope, or fear, or baser lure.The doctor kill’d him, not to please our prince;Him some divine suggestion did convince.The story of the child by angel slainCannot be fully grasped by minds too plain.A saint that acts on Heaven’s high behest,Can never do amiss; ’tis always best.He who can pardon, he may also doom;He’s God’s vicegerent; acts in Heaven’s room.As Ishmaël beneath his father’s knife,Do thou for such a prince lay down thy life;Thus may thy soul, in future blessed abode,Muhammed-like, in peace be with thy God.His lovers joyful are, most, when they slayTheir worldly joys with their own hands, as play.

Our prince took not the goldsmith’s life through lust.Chase such suspicion from thy mind thou must.Imagine not he’d stoop to mortal sin.Can holy saint have tainted heart within?The trial of the fire, and of the flame,Is but to cleanse pure gold from every blame.So too, temptation on us all is sent,To part the good from those of bad intent.Had he not acted thus by God’s command,No prince, a wolf he’d been, rav’ning the land.From lust, greed, foul caprice, his soul was free;So did God will, whate’er the cause may be.Elias sank his ship in full design;That wreck to future blessings was the sign.Moses was shock’d thereat, with all his skillAnd inspiration. Thou must needs judge ill.A blood-red rose call not by murder’s name;Just retribution see thou do not blame.Had righteous blood been shed by him as naught,Blasphemer were I to extol him aught.Praise of the wicked God with horror views;The good contemn all flatterers of sin’s crews.Our prince was kind and virtuous, wise and just,A man God-fearing, and in God’s full trust.A victim put to death by such a friend,Is slain in error, or for some wise end.Did not our God mean mercy in His wrath,How could the Lord of Mercies thunder forth?A child may tremble at the lancet’s smart;His mother knows there’s healing in the dart.It may half kill him, but restores sound life;So God’s great mercies far surpass our strife.Men judge of what they see by what they think.From judging justice, men of sense will shrink.

Words in this poem 98

wealth n.: Weal; welfare; prosperity; good. [OE. welthe, from wele; cf. D. weelde luxury. See Weal prosperity.]
afield adv.: To, in, or on the field. [Pref. a- + field.]
went n.: Course; way; path; journey; direction.
handmaid n.: A maid that waits at hand; a female servant or attendant.
straightway adv.: Immediately; without loss of time; without delay.
wayward a.: Taking one's own way; disobedient; froward; perverse; willful. [OE. weiward, for aweiward, i. e., turned away. See Away, and -ward.]
bate n.: Strife; contention. [Prob. abbrev. from debate.]
tore n.: The dead grass that remains on mowing land in winter and spring. Mortimer. [Probably from the root of tear; cf. W. tór a break, cut, tóri to break, cut.]
broke v. i.: To transact business for another. Brome. [See Broker, and cf. Brook.]
quoth v. t.: Said; spoke; uttered; -- used only in the first and third persons in the past tenses, and always followed by its nominative, the word or words said being the object; as, quoth I. quoth he. [AS.cweedhan, imp cwæedh, pl. cwædon; akin to OS. queedhan, OHG. quethan, quedan, Icel. kveedha, Goth. qiþan. sq. root22. Cf. Bequeath.]
rife a.: Prevailing; prevalent; abounding. [AS. rif abundant, or Icel. rifr munificent; akin to OD. riff, rijve, abundant.]
trow v. i.: To believe; to trust; to think or suppose. [OE. trowen, AS.treówan to trust, believe, fr. treów trust, treówe true, faithful. See True.]
rote v. t.: To learn or repeat by rote.
aloud adv.: With a loud voice, or great noise; loudly; audibly. [Pref. a- + loud.]
prescribe v. t.: To lay down authoritatively as a guide, direction, or rule of action; to impose as a peremptory order; to dictate; to appoint; to direct. [L. praescribere, praescriptum; prae before + scriebe to write. See Scribe.]
shrug v. t.: To draw up or contract (the shoulders), especially by way of expressing dislike, dread, doubt, or the like. [Probably akin to shrink, p. p. shrunk; cf. Dan. skrugge, skrukke, to stoop, dial. Sw. skrukka, skruga, to crouch.]
oxymel n.: A mixture of honey, water, vinegar, and spice, boiled to a sirup. Sir T. Elyot.
barefoot a.: With the feet bare; without shoes or stockings.
outbreak n.: A bursting forth; eruption; insurrection.
behest v. t.: To vow. Paston.
dulcet a.: Sweet to the taste; luscious. [OF. doucet, dim. of dous sweet, F. doux, L. dulcis; akin to Gr. Doucet.]
shall v. i.: To owe; to be under obligation for. [OE. shal, schal, imp. sholde, scholde, AS. scal, sceal, I am obliged, imp. scolde, sceolde, inf. sculan; akin to OS. skulan, pres. skal, imp. skolda, D. zullen,]
outlook v. t.: To face down; to outstare.
afar adv.: At, to, or from a great distance; far away; -- often used with from preceding, or off following; as, he was seen from afar; I saw him afar off. [Pref. a-.(for on or of) + far.]
fettered a.: Seeming as if fettered, as the feet pf certain animals which bend backward, and appear unfit for walking.
firebrand n.: A piece of burning wood. L'Estrange.
gratis adv.: For nothing; without fee or recompense; freely; gratuitously. [L., contr. fr. gratiis out of favor or kindness, without recompense, for nothing, fr. gratia favor. See Grace.]
graceless a.: Wanting in grace or excellence; departed from, or deprived of, divine grace; hence, depraved; corrupt.
toilless a.: Free from toil.
reap n.: A bundle of grain; a handful of grain laid down by the reaper as it is cut. Wright. [Cf. AS. rip harvest. See Reap, v.]
incensed a.: Angered; enraged.
greed n.: An eager desire or longing; greediness; as, a greed of gain. [Akin to Goth. grdus hunger, Icel. graedhr. sq. root34. See Greedy.]
sinner n.: One who has sinned; especially, one who has sinned without repenting; hence, a persistent and incorrigible transgressor; one condemned by the law of God.
ruthless a.: Having no ruth; cruel; pitiless.
disappointment n.: The act of disappointing, or the state of being disappointed; defeat or failure of expectation or hope; miscarriage of design or plan; frustration. [Cf. F. désappointement.]
meed v. t.: To reward; to repay. Waytt.
meekly adv.: In a meek manner.
sequel n.: That which follows; a succeeding part; continuation; as, the sequel of a man's advantures or history. [L. sequela, fr. sequit to follow: cf. F. séquelle a following. See Sue to follow.]
attest v. t.: To bear witness to; to certify; to affirm to be true or genuine; as, to attest the truth of a writing, a copy of record. [L. attestari; ad + testari to bear witness: cf. F. attester.]
expounder n.: One who expounds or explains; an interpreter.
complexion n.: The state of being complex; complexity. [F. complexion, fr. L. complexio. See Complex, a.]
egesta n.: That which is egested or thrown off from the body by the various excretory channels; excrements; -- opposed to ingesta. [NL., neut. pl. from p. p. of L. egere. See Egest.]
ween v. i.: To think; to imagine; to fancy. [OE. wenen, AS. w, fr. w hope, expectation, opinion; akin to D. waan, OFries. w, OS. & OHG. wan, G. wahn delusion, Icel. van hope, expectation, Goth. w, and D. w]
detrimental a.: Causing detriment; injurious; hurtful.
thereat adv.: At that place; there.
chitchat n.: Familiar or trifling talk; prattle. [From Chat, by way of reduplication.]
effulgence n.: The state of being effulgent; extreme brilliancy; a flood of light; great luster or brightness; splendor.
extern a.: External; outward; not inherent. [Cf. F. externe. See External.]
sheen v. i.: To shine; to glisten.
glorious a.: Exhibiting attributes, qualities, or acts that are worthy of or receive glory; noble; praiseworthy; excellent; splendid; illustrious; inspiring admiration; as, glorious deeds. [OF. glorios, glorious, F. glorieux, fr. L. gloriosus. See Glory, n.]
reunite v. t.: To unite again; to join after separation or variance.
blissful a.: Full of, characterized by, or causing, joy and felicity; happy in the highest degree.
hundredfold n.: A hundred times as much or as many.
falter v. t.: To thrash in the chaff; also, to cleanse or sift, as barley.
fulsome a.: Full; abundant; plenteous; not shriveled. [Full, a. + -some.]
seared a.: Scorched; cauterized; hence, figuratively, insensible; not susceptible to moral influences.
succour v. t.: tiono run to, or run to support; hence, to help or relieve when in difficulty, want, or distress; to assist and deliver from suffering; to relieve; as, to succor a besieged city. [OE. socouren, OF. sucurre, soucourre, secorre, F. secourir, L. succurrere, succursum, to run under, run to the aid of, help, succor; sub under + currere to run.]
pant v. i.: To breathe quickly or in a labored manner, as after exertion or from eagerness or excitement; to respire with heaving of the breast; to gasp. [Cf. F. panteler to gasp for breath, OF. panteisier to be breathless, F. pantois out of breath; perh. akin to E. phantom, the verb prob. orig. meaning, to have t]
scan v. t.: To mount by steps; to go through with step by step. [L. scandere, scansum, to climb, to scan, akin to Skr. skand to spring, leap: cf. F. scander. Cf. Ascend, Descend, Scale a ladder.]
bane v. t.: To be the bane of; to ruin. Fuller.
stealth n.: The act of stealing; theft. [OE. staple. See Steal, v. t.]
darksome a.: Dark; gloomy; obscure; shaded; cheerless.
meddler n.: One who meddles; one who interferes or busies himself with things in which he has no concern; an officious person; a busybody.
subterfuge n.: That to which one resorts for escape or concealment; an artifice employed to escape censure or the force of an argument, or to justify opinions or conduct; a shift; an evasion. [F., from LL. subterfugium, fr. L. subterfugere to flee secretly, to escape; subter under + fugere to flee. See Fugitive.]
nether a.: Situated down or below; lying beneath, or in the lower part; having a lower position; belonging to the region below; lower; under; -- opposed to upper. [OE. nethere, neithere, AS. ni, fr. the adv. ni downward; akin to neo below, beneath, D. neder down, G. nieder, Sw. nedre below, nether, a. & adv., and also to S]
prying a.: Inspecting closely or impertinently.
folk n.: In Anglo-Saxon times, the people of a group of townships or villages; a community; a tribe. [AS. folc; akin to D. volk, OS. & OHG. folk, G. volk, Icel. f, Sw. & Dan. folk, Lith. pulkas crowd, and perh. to E. follow.]
hast: , 2d pers. sing. pres. of. Fave, contr. of havest.
tact n.: The sense of touch; feeling. [L. tactus a touching, touch, fr. tangere, tactum, to touch: cf. F. tact. See Tangent.]
spoke n.: The radius or ray of a wheel; one of the small bars which are inserted in the hub, or nave, and which serve to support the rim or felly. [OE. spoke, spake, AS, spaca; akin to D. speek, LG. speke, OHG. speihha, G. speiche. sq. root170. Cf. Spike a nail.]
throb v. i.: To beat, or pulsate, with more than usual force or rapidity; to beat in consequence of agitation; to palpitate; -- said of the heart, pulse, etc. [OE. ; of uncertain origin; cf. Russ. trepete a trembling, and E. trepidation.]
abode n.: Act of waiting; delay. [OE. abad, abood, fr. abiden to abide. See Abide. For the change of vowel, cf. abode, imp. of abide.]
lass n.: A youth woman; a girl; a sweetheart. [OE. lasse; prob. of Celtic origin; cf. W. llodes girl, fem. of llawd lad. (Lad a youth.]
carking a.: Distressing; worrying; perplexing; corroding; as, carking cares.
sunny a.: Of or pertaining to the sun; proceeding from, or resembling the sun; hence, shining; bright; brilliant; radiant.
honour n.: Esteem due or paid to worth; high estimation; respect; consideration; reverence; veneration; manifestation of respect or reverence. [OE. honor, honour, onour, onur, OF. honor, onor, honur, onur, honour, onour, F. honneur, fr. L. honor, honos.]
twill v. i.: To weave, as cloth, so as to produce the appearance of diagonal lines or ribs on the surface. [Scotch tweel; probably from LG. twillen to make double, from twi- two; akin to AS. twi-, E. twi- in twilight. See Twice, and cf. Tweed, Tweel.]
yonder adv.: At a distance, but within view. [OE. yonder, ýonder; cf. OD. ginder, Goth. jaindr there. Yond, adv.]
charger n.: One who, or that which charges.
fatuous a.: Feeble in mind; weak; silly; stupid; foolish; fatuitous. Glanvill. [L. fatuus.]
betimes adv.: In good season or time; before it is late; seasonably; early. [Pref. be- (for by) + time; that is, by the proper time. The -s is an adverbial ending.]
nobly adv.: Of noble extraction; as, nobly born or descended.
bade: A form of the pat tense of Bid.
damsel n.: A young person, either male or female, of noble or gentle extraction; as, Damsel Pepin; Damsel Richard, Prince of Wales. [OE. damosel, damesel, damisel, damsel, fr. OF. damoisele, damisele, gentlewoman, F. demoiselle young lady; cf. OF. damoisel young nobleman, F. damoiseau; fr. LL]
currency n.: A continued or uninterrupted course or flow like that of a sream; as, the currency of time. Ayliffe. [Cf. LL. currentia a current, fr. L. currens, p. pr. of currere to run. See Current.]
graced a.: Endowed with grace; beautiful; full of graces; honorable.
loser n.: One who loses. South.
lethal n.: One of the higher alcohols of the paraffine series obtained from spermaceti as a white crystalline solid. It is so called because it occurs in the ethereal salt of lauric acid. [Lauric + ether + alcohol.]
convince v. t.: To overpower; to overcome; to subdue or master. [L. convincere, -victum, to refute, prove; con- + vincere to conquer. See Victor, and cf. Convict.]
vicegerent a.: Having or exercising delegated power; acting by substitution, or in the place of another. [Vice, a + gerent: cf. F. vicegérant.]
lust v. i.: To list; to like. [AS. lystan. See Lust, n., and cf. List to choose.]
needs adv.: Of necessity; necessarily; indispensably; -- often with must, and equivalent to of need. [Orig. gen. of need, used as an adverb. Cf. - wards.]
blasphemer n.: One who blasphemes.
extol v. t.: To place on high; to lift up; to elevate. [L. extollere; ex out + tollere to lift, take up, or raise: cf. OF. extoller. See Tollerate, and cf. Flate.]
aught n.: Property; possession. [AS. , fr. agan to own, p. p. ahte.]
contemn v. t.: To view or treat with contempt, as mean and despicable; to reject with disdain; to despise; to scorn. [L. contemnere, -temptum; con- + temnere to slight, despise: cf. OF. contemner.]
virtuous a.: Possessing or exhibiting virtue. Specifically: -- (a) Exhibiting manly courage and strength; valorous; valiant; brave. [OE. vertuous, OF. vertuos, vertuous, F. vertueux, fr. L. Virtuous. See Virtue, and cf. Virtuoso.]
strife n.: The act of striving; earnest endeavor. [OF. estrif. See Strive.]

Definitions and etymologies from Webster's Unabridged Dictionary, 1913.

About this text

Tale I: The Prince and the Handmaid is in the public domain. This text is taken from The Mesnevī (usually known as the Mesnevīyi Sherīf, or Holy Mesnevī) of Mevlānā (Our Lord) Jelālu-’d-Dīn, Muhammed, er-Rūmī. Book the First, Project Gutenberg ebook #61724, the James W. Redhouse translation; the transcription's header, footer and licence were removed and nothing else was changed. You may copy, print and reuse it freely.

Cite as: Rumi, Tale I: The Prince and the Handmaid, in The Mesnevi, Book the First (1881), text of Project Gutenberg ebook #61724, Laurel, https://laurelpoetry.com/poem/rumi-masnavi-book-one/1.html, id L28595.

Form and metre

Tale I: The Prince and the Handmaid is 438 lines in 41 verse paragraphs. It is in rhyming couplets, 96% of the lines: heroic couplets. The metre is iambic pentameter, measured from the stress the words themselves fix (confidence 91%).

See other poems in heroic couplets, other poems in iambic pentameter.

Measured by Laurel's pipeline, not copied from a handbook: how stress and metre are counted, how rhyme is lettered, how a drifted rhyme is found. Where the dictionary cannot confirm a rhyme the letter is withheld, not guessed.

Rhyme words, stanza by stanza

The word that ends each line, lettered by the rhyme it makes; a dash is a line whose rhyme the dictionary could not confirm.

1 AABBCCDDEE is^A · his^A · bent^B · went^B · grove^C · love^C · stall^D · thrall^D · fate^E · bate^E
2 AABB fore^A · tore^A · dry^B · by^B
3 AABBCC right^A · might^A · me^B · she^B · life^C · rife^C
4 AABBCCDDEE skill^A · ill^A · power^B · hour^B · trow^C · show^C · word^D · lord^D · aloud^E · shroud^E
5 AABBCCDD drug^A · shrug^A · became^B · blame^B · increase^C · grease^C · first^D · thirst^D
6 AABBCCDDEEFF vain^A · gain^A · before^B · floor^B · outbreak^C · spake^C · sway^D · pray^D · need^E · lead^E · known^F · throne^F
7 AABBCCDDBB so^A · overflow^A · fell^B · tell^B · bring^C · ring^C · art^D · heart^D · spell^B · well^B
8 AABBCCDDEEFFGG broke^A · awoke^A · way^B · survey^B · mien^C · between^C · afar^D · mar^D · paints^E · feints^E · sham^F · epigram^F · entrance^G · inhabitants^G
9 AABBCCDDEE swoon^A · shown^A · came^B · name^B · bands^C · hands^C · she^D · see^D · stand^E · command^E
10 AABB respect^A · elect^A · curse^B · worse^B
11 ---A--BBCCDDAAEEFF sent · stint · host · lost^A · heaven · given · willed^B · filled^B · said^C · bread^C · incensed^D · dispensed^D · last^A · past^A · away^E · day^E · greed^F · breed^F
12 AABBCCDD flow^A · grow^A · sent^B · punishment^B · offends^C · friends^C · deeds^D · meed^D
13 AABBCC word^A · lord^A · pride^B · tide^B · attest^C · guest^C
14 AABBCC-- embraced^A · enlaced^A · brow^B · now^B · in^C · then^C · length · content
15 AABBCCDDEE come^A · overcome^A · prayer^B · despair^B · desires^C · mires^C · need^D · indeed^D · thee^E · see^E
16 AABBCCDDEE bested^A · led^A · unfolds^B · beholds^B · seen^C · ween^C · adduced^D · produced^D · misunderstood^E · brotherhood^E
17 AABBCCDD ill^A · still^A · spleen^B · seen^B · oppressed^C · suppressed^C · love^D · dove^D
18 AABBCCDDEEFF pine^A · divine^A · cause^B · draws^B · portray^C · sway^C · manifest^D · best^D · trade^E · made^E · perplexed^F · text^F
19 AABBCCDDEEFFGG sun^A · alone^A · hint^B · comment^B · sleep^C · leap^C · below^D · glow^D · peer^E · cheer^E · ray^F · portray^F · comprehend^G · pretend^G
20 AABBCCDDEE theme^A · seem^A · find^B · mind^B · gave^C · save^C · serene^D · scene^D · hold^E · hundredfold^E
21 AABBCCDDEE days^A · praise^A · thee^B · be^B · seared^C · cheered^C · breast^D · best^D · pant^E · plant^E
22 AABBCCDD need^A · creed^A · scan^B · man^B · stealth^C · wealth^C · ears^D · fears^D
23 AABBCCDDEEFFGG guise^A · lies^A · lost^B · most^B · display^C · away^C · still^D · hill^D · world^E · hurled^E · earth^F · birth^F · far^G · war^G
24 AABBCC ill^A · still^A · soul^B · control^B · hall^C · all^C
25 AABBCCDD within^A · seen^A · home^B · come^B · behind^C · kind^C · one^D · none^D
26 AABB thorn^A · torn^A · dart^B · smart^B
27 AABBCCDDEE find^A · mind^A · ills^B · kills^B · tail^C · avail^C · dart^D · smart^D · pains^E · bestains^E
28 AABBCCDDEEFFGG prepared^A · feared^A · come^B · home^B · flow^C · know^C · displays^D · strays^D · start^E · heart^E · place^F · trace^F · town^G · down^G
29 AABBCCDDCCEEFF passed^A · massed^A · report^B · resort^B · name^C · came^C · flow^D · glow^D · came^C · flame^C · confessed^E · guessed^E · abode^F · road^F
30 AABBBBCCDDEEFFGG such^A · much^A · care^B · spare^B · fear^B · bear^B · soul^C · cajole^C · core^D · more^D · twas^E · has^E · be^F · see^F · find^G · mined^G
31 AABBCC perceived^A · relieved^A · sincere^B · ear^B · price^C · vice^C
32 AABBCCDDEEFFGGHHIIJJKK wiles^A · smiles^A · tells^B · ills^B · inquired^C · tired^C · must^D · trust^D · give^E · live^E · plan^F · man^F · sent^G · went^G · sure^H · bore^H · skill^I · still^I · guide^J · wide^J · sends^K · friends^K
33 AABBCCDDEE heart^A · start^A · great^B · fate^B · on^C · won^C · doom^D · tomb^D · weave^E · leave^E
34 AABB----CC end^A · friend^A · turn^B · burn^B · there · mayor · gave · leave · regain^C · pain^C
35 AABB mate^A · state^A · sweet^B · meet^B
36 AABBCC----DD him^A · slim^A · hand^B · demand^B · cheek^C · sleek^C · charms · warms · now · low · tears^D · fears^D
37 AABBCCDD call^A · gall^A · slain^B · stain^B · surprised^C · prized^C · dies^D · flies^D
38 AA--BBCCDD behind^A · kind^A · thou · know · wide^B · aside^B · voice^C · choice^C · last^D · cast^D
39 AABBCCDDEE shown^A · known^A · eyes^B · rise^B · knows^C · flows^C · loved^D · moved^D · approach^E · reproach^E
40 AABBCCDDEEFFGGHH sure^A · lure^A · prince^B · convince^B · slain^C · plain^C · behest^D · best^D · doom^E · room^E · knife^F · life^F · abode^G · god^G · slay^H · play^H
41 AABBCCDDEEFFGGHHIIJJKKLLMMNNOOPPQQ lust^A · must^A · sin^B · within^B · flame^C · blame^C · sent^D · intent^D · command^E · land^E · free^F · be^F · design^G · sign^G · skill^H · ill^H · name^I · blame^I · naught^J · aught^J · views^K · crews^K · just^L · trust^L · friend^M · end^M · wrath^N · forth^N · smart^O · dart^O · life^P · strife^P · think^Q · shrink^Q

Scansion, line by line

Each line with its syllable count and the stresses the words themselves fix: / stressed, ˘ unstressed, · a syllable the word leaves free and the metre decides. Read against iambic pentameter. How this is done.

Line	Syl.	Stress
A prince there was, long since in time it is.	10	··········
Of Church and State the power and wealth were his.	10	·····/····
The chase on horse one day to follow, bent;	10	·······/˘·
With pompous courtier-train afield he went.	10	·/˘/˘·˘/··
A handmaid fair was wand’ring near a grove.	10	··········
Her he espied, and straightway fell in love.	9	····/˘···
His heart was snared; her form its cage, its stall.	10	··········
He lavished gold; and made her thus his thrall.	10	·/˘·······
But now, behold the wayward spite of fate!	10	··˘/·/˘···
The maid fell sick, this prince’s joy to bate.	10	·····/˘···
An ass had Hodge; no saddle to the fore.	10	·····/˘···
A saddle bought; a wolf straight Jacky tore.	10	·/˘····/˘·
A jug had Dick; the well, alas, was dry.	10	······˘/··
The well then filled; the jug was broke hard by.	10	··········
Now leeches called the prince, from left, from right.	10	·/˘·······
“Two lives,” quoth he, “depend upon your might.	10	····˘/····
My health is naught; she’s life of life to me.	10	··········
I’m sad at heart; my sov’reign balm is she.	10	··········
Who finds a remedy to save her life,	10	···/˘˘····
Much gold, with jewels, his; and thanks more rife.”	10	···/˘·····
All promised marvels; each, to use his skill;	10	·/˘/˘·····
To search the case; to ease the maiden’s ill.	10	·······/˘·
“Each one of us has Jesu’s healing power.	11	·····/˘/˘/˘
Of all their ills we cure men every hour.”	11	·······/˘/˘
Through pride, “God willing” said they not, I trow.	10	···/˘·····
Man’s nothingness, in them the Lord would show.	10	·/˘˘······
That is to say--to leave out this good word	10	··········
Is sin; said by mere rote, it will not please the Lord,	12	············
How many shrink from tonguing it aloud,	10	·/˘··/˘·˘/
Whose hearts each action with “God willing” shroud.	10	···/˘··/˘·
The doctors now prescribe full many a drug.	10	·/˘·˘/·/··
In vain they ponder, vain their shoulders shrug.	10	···/˘··/˘·
The maid a very skeleton became;	10	···/˘/˘˘˘/
The prince’s tears their want of skill did blame.	10	·/˘·······
With oxymel, through fate, did bile increase;	10	·/˘˘····˘/
E’en almond oil ran dry where rubbed as grease.	10	·/˘·······
Lax myrobalans act as nutgalls first;	10	··········
As naphtha feeds a fire, drinks brought but thirst.	10	·/˘··/····
The prince no sooner saw their art was vain,	10	···/˘·····
Than barefoot sped, heaven’s worship-house to gain.	11	·/··/˘/˘···
The holy altar, there, he bowed before;	10	·/˘/˘·····
With flood of tears he bathed its sacred floor.	10	·······/˘·
Then, heart-relieved with sorrow’s fierce outbreak,	10	··˘/·/˘·/·
’Mid praise and blessing, thus his suit he spake:	10	···/˘·····
“To Thee, whose meanest gift is world-wide sway,	10	···/˘·····
Who know’st each secret wish, why need I pray?	10	···/˘·····
Our refuge art Thou in our every need;	10	//˘···//˘·
We’ve erred again; do Thou in mercy lead.	10	··˘/···/˘·
’Tis Thy behest, to whom all thoughts are known,	10	··˘/······
That man with words approach Thy awful throne.”	10	····˘/·/˘·
His humble supplication proffered so,	10	·/˘····/˘·
Sweet mercy’s fount at once did overflow.	10	·/˘····/˘·
His tears undried, deep slumber on him fell,	9	····/˘···
And heavenly-dulcet tones he heard thus tell:	10	·/˘/˘·····
“Glad tidings, prince, to thee this day I bring:	10	·/˘·······
Next daydawn at thy gate a guest shall ring;	10	··········
A heav’n-sent stranger, versed in healing art,	10	···/˘··/˘·
In him have faith; he’s true in speech and heart.	10	··········
Imagine not his treatment magic’s spell;	10	˘/˘··/˘/˘·
God’s power alone can make thy maiden well.”	10	·/˘/···/˘·
The promised hour at hand, the daydawn broke;	10	·/˘/······
The sunbeams paled the stars; the prince awoke.	10	·/······˘/
An outlook sought he, whence to watch the way,	10	·/········
And first th’ expected stranger to survey.	10	··˘/˘/˘·˘/
One he espied of most majestic mien,	9	·····˘/˘·
Of radiance mild,--as sun, dark clouds between;	10	·/˘·······
Or moon at full;--so seem’d he from afar.	10	········˘/
Mere fancy’s pictures ever objects mar.	10	·/˘/˘/˘/˘·
Things non-existent often frenzy paints;	10	··˘/˘/˘/˘·
We see mankind deluded over feints.	10	··//˘/˘···
Their peace, their war, not seldom for a sham;	10	·····/˘···
Their pride, their shame, some sorry epigram.	10	·····/˘/˘·
But visions, such as blessed saints entrance,	10	·/˘···˘·/˘
Reflections are from heaven’s inhabitants.	11	˘/˘··/˘˘/˘˘
The semblance by our prince seen in his swoon,	10	·/˘·/·····
The features wore that now in flesh are shown.	10	·/˘·······
The prince, in lieu of ushers, forward came,	10	·····/˘/˘·
To meet the heaven-sent guest, in his own name.	10	···/······
Their trains one column formed from mingling bands;	10	···/˘··/˘·
Their hearts united, fettered not their hands.	10	··˘/˘/˘···
The prince: “Would thou’dst my soul enslaved; not she!	10	······˘/··
But here below effect a cause must see.	10	····˘/····
Be my Muhammed! I thy ‘Umar stand,	10	··˘/˘·····
With girded loins awaiting thy command.”	10	·/˘·˘/˘·˘/
Pray God to grant thee ever meek respect;	10	·····/˘·˘/
The puffed-up fool’s remote from Heaven’s elect.	11	····˘/·/˘˘/
A shameless monarch to himself’s a curse,	10	·/˘/··˘/··
A firebrand to his realm; nay, even worse.	10	·/˘·····/·
Food in the wilderness by God was sent;	10	···/˘˘····
Food without toil, food gratis, without stint.	10	·····/˘···
Some graceless scoffers out of Moses’ host	10	·/˘····/˘·
Dared to demand the onions, lentils lost.	10	··˘/·/˘/˘·
Such toilless food then ceased to fall from Heaven;	11	·/˘······/˘
To dig, to sow, to reap, in lieu is given.	11	·········/˘
Fresh suit, much later, Jesus made; God willed;	10	···/˘/˘···
Again food rife became; men’s dishes filled.	10	˘/··˘/·/˘·
That food’s a gift from Heaven is clearly said,	10	·····/·/˘·
In Jesu’s prayer: “Give us our daily bread.”	10	·/˘···//˘·
Men’s bold presumption Heaven again incensed,	10	··˘/˘/˘//·
When basketsful to beggars were dispensed.	10	·····/˘·˘/
Jesus proclaimed the miracle would last;—	10	/˘˘/·/˘˘··
That food would never lack as in the past.	10	···/˘·····
Men doubted, asked for more to store away;	10	·/˘·····˘/
They trusted not God’s word for bread each day.	10	·/˘·······
Importunate those suitors, full of greed;	10	˘/˘˘·/˘···
Heaven’s gate of mercy closed against their breed.	11	/˘··/˘·····
Withheld is rain when alms have ceased to flow;	10	˘/········
Where fornication reigns, black death will grow.	10	··········
Whatever grief and sorrow’s on us sent,	10	·/˘··/˘···
Of wickedness and guilt’s a punishment.	10	·/˘˘···/˘˘
The hardened sinner, who his God offends,	10	·/˘/˘···˘/
A ruthless robber is; he spoils his friends.	10	·/˘/˘·····
He who is shameless in his words and deeds,	10	···/˘·····
Despair from disappointment is his meed.	10	˘/··˘/˘···
Yon orbs of heaven obey their Maker’s word;	10	···/˘/·/˘·
The holy angels meekly serve the Lord.	10	·/˘/˘/˘···
The sun’s eclipse is but a check to pride;	10	··˘/······
E’en Satan’s fall presumption caused to tide.	10	·/˘·˘/˘···
Return we now the sequel to attest,	10	˘/···/˘·˘/
Of what befell our prince with his new guest.	10	··˘//·····
His circling arms the welcome form embraced,	10	·/˘··/˘·˘/
And, lover-like, with joy his neck enlaced.	10	·/˘·······
Kisses bestowed he on his hand and brow;	10	/˘˘/······
Hoped kindly he’d fared well from home till now.	10	·/˘·······
His health and welfare asking, led him in.	10	···/·/˘···
“Its own reward is patience,” thought he then.	10	··˘/·/˘···
Patience at first is bitter; but at length	10	/˘···/˘···
Its fruit is sweet. It gives us heart’s content.	10	········/˘
Then he aloud: “A gift from God thou’rt come,	10	··˘/······
The proverb’s pith: ‘By patience overcome.’	10	·/˘··/˘/˘·
This meeting’s the reward of all my prayer;	10	·/˘·˘/····
Thou’lt solve the riddle of my dark despair.	10	···/˘···˘/
Th’ expounder, thou, of all my soul’s desires,	11	˘/˘·····˘/˘
Thou’lt extricate me from despond’s deep mires.	10	·/˘·······
Be welcome, then; a very friend in need;	10	·/˘··/˘···
Hadst thou delayed, my case were sad indeed.	10	··˘/····˘/
Prince of physicians! Who’d not welcome thee,	10	··˘/˘··/˘·
Deserves rejection. Do his eyes not see?”	10	˘/˘/˘·····
Urbanity’s requirements thus bested,	10	····˘/˘·/˘
Our prince the stranger to a chamber led.	10	/··/˘··/˘·
The maiden’s tale and case he there unfolds.	10	·/˘·····˘/
The patient, next, unveiled, the guest beholds.	10	·/˘·˘/··˘/
Complexion, pulse, egesta, all are seen;	10	˘/˘·˘/˘···
Disposing causes, symptoms, sought, I ween.	10	˘/˘/˘/˘···
Then he: “The remedies till now adduced,	10	···/˘˘····
Have detrimental been, no good produced.	10	··˘/˘···˘/
The case has been from first misunderstood.	10	·······˘˘/
Protect us, Heaven! A blundering brotherhood!”	10	˘/·/·/˘/˘·
He saw her trouble; thence divined her ill.	10	···/˘·˘/··
Her secret kept he; hidden held it still.	10	·/˘··/˘···
The sickness was not caused by bile or spleen.	10	·/˘·······
The scent of perfume’s better smelt than seen.	10	···˘//˘···
He traced her suffering to a mind oppressed;	10	···/˘···˘/
Her body sound, her soul a wish suppressed.	10	·/˘·····˘/
Her hesitations made him guess her love;	10	··˘/˘·····
The symptoms plain,--her heart was sick, poor dove!	10	·/˘·······
A lover’s smart is not from fleshly pine;	10	·/˘····/˘·
A probe is love; it sounds hearts’ depths, divine.	10	········˘/
Let love proceed from this or other cause,	10	··˘/···/˘·
It matters not; heavenward it mortals draws.	11	·/˘·/˘˘·/˘·
However well we strive love to portray,	10	·/˘·····˘/
We blush thereat, when love our hearts doth sway.	10	··˘/··/···
Words make most matters plain and manifest;	10	···/˘··/˘·
But love unspoken speaks whole volumes best.	10	··˘/˘··/˘·
When pen took up from zeal the writing trade,	10	·······/˘·
In love’s description, oh! such blots it made!	10	··˘/˘·····
Our wits in love’s affairs stand sore perplexed;	10	/···˘/··˘/
Love only can elucidate love’s text.	10	·/˘·˘/˘···
The sun alone can well explain the sun.	10	··˘/··˘/··
Wilt see’t expounded? Turn to him alone.	10	··˘/˘···˘/
A shade, ’tis true, of him gives some small hint;	10	··········
The shining sun surpasses all comment.	10	·/˘·˘/˘·/˘
A shade, like evening chitchat, sends to sleep,	10	···/˘/····
From sun’s effulgence does full knowledge leap.	10	··˘/˘··/˘·
That day-orb, still, each eve sets, here below;	10	··········
The soul-sun, God, shines in eternal glow.	10	······˘/˘·
’Mong things extern that orb has not a peer;	10	··˘/······
But mock suns we can make, our nights to cheer.	10	······/···
On heart unless the soul-sun cast a ray,	10	··········
No thought, no picture can its sheen portray.	10	···/˘···˘/
Can mind His glorious essence comprehend?	10	···/˘/˘·˘/
His presence, then, to image who’ll pretend?	10	·/˘··/˘·˘/
Of poet’s verse when God’s the holy theme,	10	·/˘····/˘·
Its minished head the sun may hide, ’twould seem.	10	·/˘·······
At mention of His name each breast must find,	10	·/˘·······
A duty ’tis His grace to call to mind.	10	·/˘·······
The breath of life He to this body gave,	10	·······/˘·
With Him to reunite, should mercy save.	10	····˘/·/˘·
These years I’ve conversed with Him. Life serene!	10	···˘/···˘/
One repetition more! O blissful scene!	10	··˘/˘··/˘·
How pleasant heaven and earth their smiling hold!	10	·/˘/···/˘·
He offers soul, mind, eye, a hundredfold!	10	·/˘····/˘˘
Beyond my strength, O try me not these days!	10	··········
My reason ’d fail to falter forth Thy praise.	11	·/˘···/˘···
The song of man, when uninspired by Thee,	10	······˘/··
Mere fulsome, flattering trash is seen to be.	10	·/˘/˘·····
Bid me describe, whose every nerve is seared,	10	··˘/·/˘···
A lover’s woe, whom mistress never cheered.	10	·/˘··/˘/˘·
His lonesomeness, the anguish of his breast,	12	·······/˘···
Not here I’ll paint; elsewhere it may be best.	10	····/·····
He cries: “O succour me; I faint, I pant;	10	···/˘·····
And quickly; lest delay the dagger plant!”	10	·/˘·˘/·/˘·
The Mystic true relieves each moment’s need;	10	·/˘·˘/·/˘·
“To-morrow” ’s not a point in his pure creed.	11	·/˘········
Art not persuaded so? The proverb scan:	10	··˘/˘··/˘·
“Delay’s the thief of time;” say: “bane of man.”	10	˘/········
Love’s sweetest favours are conferred by stealth;	10	·/˘/˘·˘/··
Its darksome hints are treasured mines of wealth.	10	·/˘··/˘···
The tale’s most pleasant to a lover’s ears,	10	···/˘··/˘·
That tells of joys he’s tasted, ills he fears.	10	·····/˘···
Speak, meddler, then, in plain, unvarnished guise;	10	·/˘···˘/˘·
No subterfuge employ; deal not in lies.	10	·/˘·˘/····
The veil tear off, dissimulation lost:	7	·······
“When unadorned, beauty’s adorned the most.”	10	··˘//˘˘/··
Should my sweet love unveil’d her charms display,	10	····˘/··˘/
Thy smirks and smiles would all be borne away.	10	········˘/
Thy suit prefer; use moderation still:	10	··˘/··˘/˘·
A blade of grass ne’er overturns a hill.	10	·····/˘···
The sun that lights and warms this nether world,	10	·······/˘·
If brought too near, had all to ruin hurled.	10	·······/˘·
Seek not to sow dissension in the earth;	10	····˘/˘···
Vaunt not the Sun of Tebrīz’ holy birth.	10	·······/˘·
Contention’s never-ending. Better far,	10	˘/˘/˘/˘/˘·
Commit to memory this wordy war.	10	˘/·/˘˘·/˘·
The guest, convinced that love had caused her ill,	10	··˘/······
Proceeded next the prince’s mind to still.	10	˘/˘··/˘···
“These chambers clear of every mortal soul;	10	·/˘··/˘/˘·
Leave me alone the patient to control.	10	··˘/·/˘·˘/
No prying ear may linger in the hall;	10	·/˘··/˘···
I’ve things to ask may not be heard by all.”	10	··········
The place was cleared; no soul remained within,	10	······˘/··
Save leech and patient; other, none was seen.	10	···/˘/˘···
In gentlest tones he asked: “Where was thy home?	10	·/˘·······
For each town’s folk a different cure must come.	10	·····/˘···
What friends, what family hast left behind,—	10	···/˘˘····
Companions, playmates, who to thee were kind?”	10	˘/˘/······
On pulse his finger. He then, one by one,	10	···/˘·····
Inquired anew each point, omitting none.	10	˘/˘/··˘/˘·
So he whose foot is wounded with a thorn,	10	·····/˘···
Upon his knee doth take the limb that’s torn.	10	··········
With needle’s point he seeks the intrusive dart;	11	·/˘····˘/˘·
Not finding it, from lip he soothes the smart.	10	·/˘·······
If thorn in foot is thus a task to find,	10	··········
Judge what must be a rankling pang of mind.	10	·····/˘···
Could every chance observer spy those ills,	10	·/˘·˘/˘···
Where’d be the cankering care, the grief that kills?	10	···/˘·····
Boys place a thorn beneath an ass’s tail;	10	·······/˘·
The cure Ned knows not; jumping’s no avail.	10	·····/˘·˘/
Whisking’s still worse; it deeper drives the dart.	10	·····/˘···
’Tis reason’s task to ease the burning smart.	10	·/˘····/˘·
The ass, if sharper grow the throbs and pains,	10	···/˘·····
Kicks, plunges, rolls, his hide with gore bestains.	10	·/˘·······
Our doctor’s mind, by art full well prepared,	10	//˘·····˘/
With gentle measures sought the ill he feared.	10	·/˘/˘·····
Once more, with tact, he bids fresh memories come,	10	·······/˘·
And leads the maid again to talk of home.	10	····˘/····
The spring once tapped, the stream began to flow;	10	······˘/··
She told th’ inquirer much he wished to know.	10	··˘/˘·····
He lends his ear as she each scene displays;	10	········˘/
His finger notes her pulse, as on she strays;	10	·/˘·······
To learn if any name should raise a start,	10	···/˘·····
And thus betray the secret of her heart.	10	··˘/·/˘···
Anew he mentions every friend, each place;	10	˘/·/˘/˘···
Repeated such as gave of hope a trace.	10	˘/˘·······
He asked: “On quitting, thou, thy native town,	10	···/˘··/˘·
Where first was it thy guardians set thee down?”	10	·····/˘···
A place she named, and on to others passed;	10	·······/˘·
Nor blush, nor pulse gave sign, or notice massed.	10	·······/˘·
Of lords and citizens she gave report,	10	···/˘˘··˘/
Of festivals, and seats of gay resort.	10	·/˘˘····˘/
Town after town, house after house, by name,	10	··········
She spoke about; no blush, no throb still came.	10	··········
Her pulse retained its normal ebb and flow.	10	··˘/·/˘···
Till Samarqand’s name made her cheeks to glow,	10	··········
Her pulse beat high, her colour went and came;	10	·····/˘···
Of goldsmith youth she there had been the flame.	10	·/········
This point drawn forth,--this secret once confessed,	10	·····/˘·˘/
More easily our leech the sequel guessed.	10	·/˘˘/··/˘·
“O maiden, let me know this youth’s abode.”	10	·/˘·····˘/
“At Holywell, near Bridge-end’s public road.”	10	·······/˘·
“I knew,” said he, “at once, thy case was such.	10	··········
Now trust me. Thee to serve I will do much.	10	··········
Make thyself happy. Cast away all care,	10	·˘//˘·˘/··
As showers cheer meadows, thee I’ll greatly spare.	10	·/·/···/˘·
I’ll prove thy guardian angel; never fear;	10	···/˘˘/˘/·
Thy father’s place I’ll take;--thy burden bear.	10	·/˘····/˘·
Tell not this secret unto mortal soul,	10	···/˘··/˘·
However much the prince may thee cajole.	10	·/˘·····˘/
Keep safe this knowledge in thy own heart’s core;	10	···/˘·····
So mayest thou, lass, thy lover see once more.	10	·····/˘···
Our holy Prophet’s sacred maxim ’twas:	10	//˘/˘/˘/˘·
‘Who keeps his secret, speedy success has.’	10	···/˘/˘˘/·
The seed to earth committed sure must be,	10	····˘/˘···
Ere field or garden’s pride men may it see.	10	···/˘·····
If gold and silver were not hard to find,	10	···/˘·····
How could they grow? They soon would be out-mined.”	10	··········
The good physician’s soothing words perceived,	10	··˘/˘/˘·˘/
Our maiden’s mind from carking care’s relieved.	10	//˘··/˘·˘/
Some promises are truly meant, sincere;	10	·/˘˘·/˘·˘/
Others are merely made to cheat the ear.	10	/˘·/˘·····
A good man’s promise is a gem of price;	10	···/˘·····
Rely not on the words of sons of vice.	10	˘/········
Our doctor, now, with subtle speech and wiles,	10	//˘··/˘···
The maiden’s grief had turn’d to sunny smiles.	10	·/˘····/˘·
He leaves her then; seeks out the prince; and tells	10	··········
The news he’d learnt, the source of all her ills.	10	··········
“What’s now to do?” the prince’s care inquired;	11	·····/˘·˘/˘
“Delay is dangerous; patience may grow tired.”	10	˘/·/˘/˘··/
The doctor then: “Send for him; come he must,	10	·/˘·······
From his far home to fill some post of trust.	10	··········
Invite him here; a dress of honour give;	10	˘/·····/˘·
On him shower gold; new life ’twill make him live.”	10	··/·······
The prince assented; took the doctor’s plan;	10	··˘/˘··/˘·
Thought it was sound and wise from such a man.	10	··········
Two trusty messengers he quickly sent,	10	·/˘/˘˘·/˘·
Sedate, fair-spoken, loved where’er they went.	11	˘/·/˘·˘˘/··
To Samarqand they journeyed, prompt and sure.	10	·····/˘···
The goldsmith found; the prince’s message bore.	10	·/···/˘/˘·
“Great man of art, the marvels of thy skill,	10	·····/˘···
Are viewed with rapture, or with envy still.	10	···/˘··/˘·
Our prince has need of thee, his mint to guide;	10	/·········
For none like thee is heard of, far and wide.	10	··········
This dress of honour, yonder gold he sends;	10	···/˘/˘···
Requests thou’lt come, and be his best of friends.”	10	˘/········
The gold and dress of honour won his heart;	10	·····/˘···
Good-bye to home he said, with them to start.	10	··········
He travels joyous; thinks his luck is great;	10	·/˘/˘·····
And never dreams of what’s to be his fate.	10	·/˘·······
An Arab charger proudly bore him on;	10	·/˘/˘/˘···
He recked not at what price all this was won.	10	··········
O fatuous fool! Thou hastest to thy doom.	10	·/˘··/˘···
The post thou dream’st of, soon will be thy tomb.	10	··········
His fancy webs of power and fame did weave;	10	·/˘··/····
Death’s angel thundered: “Come, and all this leave!”	10	·/˘/˘·····
Arrived betimes at his long journey’s end,	10	˘/·····/˘·
The doctor led him to the prince, his friend.	10	·/˘·······
Most nobly was he there received in turn.	10	·/˘···˘/··
One trims the lampwick, still, to make it burn.	10	··········
The prince addressed him; bade him welcome there;	10	··˘/···/˘·
Mint-master nam’d him, treasurer, and mayor.	11	·/˘··/˘˘·/˘
Our doctor once again his counsel gave:	10	//˘·˘/·/˘·
“The damsel to this youth for service leave.	10	·/˘····/˘·
United to him, she’ll her health regain;	10	˘/˘·····˘/
Love’s fever will subside with absence’ pain.”	10	·/˘·˘/·/˘·
The prince bestows the sick one on her mate.	10	··˘/······
United were the two in solemn state.	10	˘/˘····/˘·
Six months they feasted on love’s joys so sweet;	10	···/˘·····
The handmaid’s health from day to day more meet.	10	··········
The doctor, now, a potion mixed for him.	10	·/˘··/˘···
His health declines; he every day grows slim.	10	··˘/·/˘···
The coin that passes much from hand to hand	10	···/˘·····
Soon loses currency, has no demand.	10	·/˘/˘˘··˘/
So he, when beauty no more graced his cheek,	10	···/˘·····
Began to lack worth with the handmaid sleek.	10	˘/········
All love that’s built on outer skin-deep charms,	10	·····/˘···
Is not true love. At length shame ’tis that warms.	10	··········
Would it were shame alone that pricks him now!	10	····˘/····
He’d not been victimised and brought thus low.	10	···/˘˘····
His eyes pour forth two streams of bitter tears;	10	·······/˘·
His altered features the worst foe he fears.	10	·/˘/˘·····
The peacock’s enemy his plumage call.	10	·/·/˘˘·/˘·
The monarch bleeds whose splendours neighbours gall.	10	·/···/˘/˘·
The musk-deer for the musk-pod still is slain;	10	··········
His blood for that alone the ground will stain.	10	····˘/····
The marten for its fur is trapped, surprised,	10	·/˘·····˘/
And strangled. Kings its pelt have prized.	10	·/˘˘·····˘
The elephant, sagacious creature, dies,	10	·/˘˘˘/˘/˘·
For iv’ry pierced with weapons as he flies.	10	·····/˘···
“He who slays me for what I leave behind,	10	··········
Reflects not: ‘Blood that’s spilt demands its kind.’	10	˘/····˘/··
To-day ’tis I; to-morrow ’twill be thou;	10	·····/˘···
Who’ll be most loser? ’Tis not I, all know.	10	···/˘·····
The shadow of a wall, ’tis true, is wide;	10	·/········
The sun revolves; the shadow’s turn’d aside.	10	··˘/·/··˘/
The world’s a mountain; all our works, a voice;	10	···/˘·/···
Our voice goes forth; its echo has no choice.”	10	/····/˘···
Reflecting thus, the goldsmith breath’d his last;	10	˘/˘··/····
The handmaid’s love and grief behind her cast.	10	··········
A dead mate’s love can never more be shown;	10	·····/˘···
A dead mate’s voice will never more be known;	10	·····/˘···
Love for the living, in the heart and eyes,	10	···/˘·····
Will ever spring; the dead no more can rise.	10	·/˘·······
One Living is there, death that never knows;	10	·/˘····/˘·
Love Him! The life from Him alone still flows.	10	······˘/··
Love Him, whom saints and prophets all have loved;	10	·····/˘···
Through whom alone we all have lived and moved.	10	··˘/······
Say not thou canst not to His throne approach;	10	········˘/
He’s gracious. His rich grace bears no reproach!	10	·/˘·····˘/
The goldsmith’s death through lethal drugs, be sure,	10	·/···/˘···
Was not from hope, or fear, or baser lure.	10	·······/˘·
The doctor kill’d him, not to please our prince;	10	·/˘·····/·
Him some divine suggestion did convince.	10	··˘/˘/˘·˘/
The story of the child by angel slain	10	·/˘····/˘·
Cannot be fully grasped by minds too plain.	10	˘/·/˘·····
A saint that acts on Heaven’s high behest,	10	·····/˘·˘/
Can never do amiss; ’tis always best.	10	·/˘·˘/·/··
He who can pardon, he may also doom;	10	···/˘··/˘·
He’s God’s vicegerent; acts in Heaven’s room.	10	··˘/˘··/˘·
As Ishmaël beneath his father’s knife,	9	······/˘·
Do thou for such a prince lay down thy life;	10	··········

The first 400 of 438 lines; the reader marks them all.

The reader shows the same poem with its rhymes coloured and a stress row above each line, the notes beside their stanzas, and any word's definition on a tap; the analysis page takes the whole book apart. How every part of this site was made.

More by Rumi

The Mesnevi, Book the First