Laurel · Rumi · The Mesnevi, Book the First

Tale IV: Another Jewish King, Persecutor of Christians

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

iambic hexameter · rhyming couplets · 332 lines · from The Mesnevi, Book the First

A second Jewish king, descendant of the first,To persecute the Christians showed hate’s fiercest thirst.If information’s sought about this wicked king,That chapter of the Qur’ān read: “Heaven’s Girdle-Ring.”A sorry rite it was the first had introduced;With cruel zeal this wicked rite the last abused.

The introducer of a rule that tends to ill,Draws on his head deep curses, morn and even, still.The good decease; their bright example serves as guide;The wicked soon decay; their name all men deride.The children of those sinners, till the trump of doom,Are cursed as soon as born; no lot more full of gloom.

How many springs burst forth, one salt, the other sweet;Their savour changes, while the days and nights compete.The good are promised their inheritance aloft,Of waters sweet; in Scripture mentioned oft and oft.The seeker’s wish, if rightly we consider it,A scintillation is of flame from holy writ.No flame exists apart from body whence it burns;Where’er the burning body hies, the flame, too, turns.A window-light will wander all around a room;Because the rising sun to sunset tends, and gloom.That which to any constellation’s stars pertains,Must move with it, rise, set, south, as its place ordains.

The man who under Venus’ influence was bornIs joyous, amorous, ambitious, with greed torn.If Mars his planet be, his temper’s bellicose;War, scandal, litigation,--these he most does choose.

But other stars there are, the planets, seven, beside;And unto men from them nor good, nor ills betide.Revolving in another firmament than they,Above the spheres that bear the orbs of night and day.Bright through the moral splendour lent them by the Lord;Not bound together quite, nor yet in disaccord.The man whose soul is influenced by one of those,Like meteors, still shall drive away the spirit’s foes.His disposition feeleth not the rage of Mars;He temporises;--meekly acts in prosperous wars.His light’s triumphant;--darkness it shall never know.Between two fingers holdeth he the truth, I trow.

The truth doth shed a shining light on human souls,Received by heaven’s favourites, in special ghostly strolls.Illumined with that light, as spangles deck a bride,They turn their souls to God, contemning all beside.Who feels not keenly love’s great soul-compelling might,Is portionless of spangles from truth’s flashing light.

All parts must ever share the nature of their whole,As nightingale pours out unto one rose its soul.Whatever property may qualify a thingExternally, man’s qualities are mind’s offspring.

From purity, rich colours rise, good qualities;Stains,--moral, or as dyes,--from gross impurities.

“God’s Baptism” is the name of all that’s good in man;“The curse of God,” of all that’s evil in our plan.In which of these two seas our streamlets may subside,They but return into the source from whence their tide.From mountain-tops, swift torrents rushing down apace.From men’s frames, love-inspired souls, anon the race.

The counsel hear, that now, this Jewish dog did take.Beside a fire a hideous idol he did make,And proclamation ran: “Whoever ’d save his soul,This idol worships; or in fire he’s burnt to coal.”Thus having made his hate an idol to himself,A second idol straightway he invents, this elf.

The mother of all idols is our fleshly pride.They’re dragons; this, the egg of cockatrice’s bride.The flesh is flint and steel; our pride is but its spark.That pride pervades the flesh as fecundation’s mark.Can moisture quench the latent spark in flint and steel?Can man be safe while flesh and pride he lives to feel;In flint and steel we know that fire is still alive.No water’s of avail that fire from them to drive.With water we put out a fire when burning bright;The spark in flint and steel is safe from water’s might.

From flint and steel of flesh what burnings still ensue!Their sparks, the blasphemies of Christian and of Jew!If water in the jug and pitcher come to end,On wellspring we must draw, a fresh supply to send.Our idol is the muddy dregs left in our jug;The flesh the sewer from whence it filters, spite of plug.The graven idol (fed from blackest sewer tideIn flesh, its graver), was as fountain by wayside.The inward idol, pride, the filthy jug’s black slush;The prurient flesh, the source from which it had its gush.

A hundred potters’ pitchers one small stone can break;And spill the cooling water drawn our thirst to slake.To smash an idol, too, quite easy may appear;Not easy to root out the flesh; too hard, I fear.

Would see the picture of the flesh, inquiring youths?Description read of hell, with seven yawning mouths.

From each soul’s flesh comes forth a special mode of guile.Each guile, a whirlpool ready Pharaoh’s hosts to spoil.In Moses, and in Moses’ God, seek refuge then.Abandon not God’s faith for Pharaohs and their men.The one true God adore; in Ahmed’s faith believe.Thy soul and body save,--from Abū-Jahl retrieve.The Jew a Christian mother to that idol brought.An infant in her arms; the fire with blazes fraught.“Fall down and worship;” cried he, “senseless stock adore;The fire shall then not harm thee, now, nor evermore.”That mother was a woman firm in true belief;And thence disdained prostration, though ’t should give relief.

They snatched her infant; next, they dashed it in the flame.The mother’s spirit quailed to see this deed of shame.Though not herself, to save her infant, she’d bow down.But lo! a miracle! The babe cried: “Let alone!Uninjured am I here. Come in. Be not dismayed.’Tis cool and pleasant. Cease to feel of fire afraid;—Mere blinding bandage to the eyes;--naught but a veil.God’s mercy’s here revealed,--made manifest. All hail!Come in, my mother, dear. The truth thou shalt record.Thou’lt here perceive how saints hold converse with the Lord.Come in; and witness water blazing high, as fire.This is a world where flame like water is;--not dire.Come. Look on miracles for blessed Abr’am wrought;Whose furnace changed to gardens, out of firewood brought.Death then I underwent, when I was born of thee.The fear of death swept o’er me, ere my eyes could see.With birth I ’scaped from prison, narrow, dark, and drear;Emerging to a world, vast, radiant, bright, and clear.Alas! that world, you see, is but a second womb.Joy, comfort, happiness, are found beyond the tomb.Within this fire a realm of wonders lies around;Each atom’s here a Jesus;--balm to heal each wound.This world I’m in’s reality;--not merely form.The scene I’ve left’s all vanity;--food for the worm.Come in, my mother; quick! Seize this auspicious hour.Come in! Let opportunity not ’scape thy pow’r.Come in; come in; in name of parent’s tenderness.Come in! This fire has no devouring ruthlessness.Come in! Thou’st witnessed all that Jewish dog can move.Come in! The grace and power of God Almighty prove.’Tis from my love for thee I thus so much insist;From pleasure felt by me, for thee I’ve fear dismissed.Come in; come in! And others call, to follow thee.The Great King here His bounteous table’s spread for me.Come in; come in! All of you, saints of God, elect!Resigned ones! Faith’s cup of martyrdom select!Come in! Flock in; in crowds; as moths around a light!This year has tens of thousands springs; but not one night.”

Thus loudly cried the infant from its bed of flame.Th’ assembled crowds all heard it. All were seized with shame.A sudden holy impulse urged them to obey.In crowds those men and women cast their lives away.No force was needed;--no compulsion;--all was love;For bitterness is sweet to all whom love doth move.To such a point it came that guards and soldiers, all,Were fain to cry: “Withhold! The fire is more than full!”

The Jewish king at sight of all this love and zeal,Was shamed,--was thunderstruck; his wicked heart did reel.He saw that faith can give the lover’s ardent flame.Self-sacrifice is naught in true devotion’s name.Thank God! Beelzebub was conquered in that Jew.Thank God! ’Twas Satan’s self these darksome deeds did rue.The shame he sought to bring upon the cheeks of some,A hundredfold was heaped on his own head at home.He thought from others’ shame the veiling leaf to tear;He saw them safe, his own foul nakedness laid bare.

A ribald fellow once, by lewdest mob sustained,Called railing out on Ahmed. Wry his mouth remained.He then came begging pity, in the Prophet’s trace:“Forgive, Muhammed, who’rt endued with wisdom’s grace.For want of knowing better, insolent I was.’Tis I that merit scorn and mockery. Alas!”

When God decides to humble any sinner, proud,A demon stirs this last t’ insult some man of God.And he whom God elects to cloak where ’tis he halts,Has grace bestowed on him to cover others’ faults.Should favour from the Lord in mercy reach a man,Humility is given him; to pray ’s part of his plan.

How blessed are the eyes that smart with sorrow’s brine!How blessed is the heart inflamed with love divine!Contrition’s tears are ever hallowed by heaven’s smile.The latter end of all things man should scan awhile.Wherever water flows, the fields are fresh and green.Tears followed are by grace;--as all the prophets ween.Then imitate the water-wheel, that groans and weeps.By prayers, and moans, and tears, a man his heart pure keeps.Wouldst thou shed tears? Feel pity, when thou meetest woe.Wouldst mercy find? Show mercy, when men bow them low.

The Jewish king reproached the fire: “O raging thing!Thy all-destructive might, where is it? Where’s thy sting?If thou wilt not consume, what quality hast thou?Or has my fortune veered; and with it, thy dread glow?Thou sparest not thy worshippers, the Magian race.Whence comes it; these who spurn thee, Christians, meet with grace?Thou never wast, O fire, for patience noted here.Why burn’st thou not? What is there? Hast thou lost thy power?Is this eye-binding? Is it, rather, reason’s blind?How is’t thy flames consume not all their hated kind?Bewitched thee have they? Or is’t magic natural?Or is’t my fortune wills that thou turn prodigal?”

To him the fire: “O miscreant! I’m still the same.Come in and try, thou, how thou’lt find my smallest flame.My nature, as my substance, has not suffered change.Outside my nature’s limit I’ve no power to range.At door of Turkman’s tent the savage household dogsDo wag their tails before a guest, and crouch like logs.But should a stranger pass by, near the guarded tent,Him then those dogs assail, with lion-like intent.Less than a dog I’m not, in service to my Lord.Than Turkman less, there’s none, in rights, upon earth’s sward.”

When fire thy body injures, and inflicts some harm;Remember, its consuming power can also warm.And when a fire thus serves thee, acts some needful part,Reflect! Those qualities thou seest did God impart.Art injured, ’haps? Fall down; entreat the Lord with prayer.The hurtful power was given by Him in gracious care.Should He so will, each injury a blessing is.Chained captives find their freedom by a word of His.

Fire, air, earth, water, all are servants of their God.I, thou, them lifeless deem. He knows they live and plod.In presence of the great Creator fire must stillIts service do; and, lover-like, work out His will.Thou strikest flint on steel; fire instantly leaps forth.’Tis by commandment of the Lord it thus takes birth.Strike not together, thou, the flint and steel of lust.For, male and female like, they’ll generate; they must.

The flint and steel are means. Far higher raise thy look.With reason thou’rt endowed. Go; read the holy book.One means comes from another means; and cause from cause.Without a means or cause, no means from self e’er rose.The means by which all prophets’ miracles are wrought,Of higher order are than earthly means; no doubt.Man’s mind can compass how these latter act, and when;The former hidden are from all but prophet’s ken.These former ’tis that give the latter power to act;And rarely, that, their normal action, counteract.

A means a rope is, by the help of which we reach;And in this worldly pit by means each reaches each.Around its coiling cylinder the well-rope’s wound.To shut our eyes to this would blind indeed be found.The ropes by means of which results are seen to steer,In this our world, deem not they’re moved by star or sphere;Lest thou become confused and giddy like a wheel;—Take fire, consume, like tinder, sparks of shame to feel.

The air becomes a fire at times by God’s decree.Both air and fire run wild with joy, His means to be.The streams of mercy, the consuming fires of wrath,Thou’lt see, my son, are both from God. Look well, forsooth.Were not the wind aware of God’s almighty power,How had it ever blown the blast of ‘Ād’s last hour?Around his Muslims Hūd a saving circle drew.The wind within that mystic circuit softly blew.While all that were beyond were dashed to pieces soon.Like chaff before the breeze, their limbs around were strewn.

Shaybān the shepherd, too, a circle round his foldWas used to draw; whate’er the season, hot or cold;On Fridays, when, at midday’s sacred hour of praise,He to a congregation hied; lest wolf should seize.No wolf was ever known to break the holy spell;Nor sheep to stray beyond; each knew the limit well.

To wind, to wolf, to sheep, and lusts of every one,The circle traced by saint a barrier was, like stone.To Gnostic, so likewise, the harmless gale of deathBlows mild and gentle, summer-breezes-like on heath.And fire was fangless; could not Abraham offend.How should it hurt him? Was he not God’s “Chosen Friend”?

The pious man burns not in fire of fleshly lust.But sinners still consumed are upon earth’s crust.The Red Sea waves, all raging by divine command,The host of Israel knew; but Pharaoh’s armies drown’d.The earth, again, wide gaping at Jehovah’s word,Did Korah and his wealth devour; but Moses spared.

In Jesu’s hand, warmed with his breath, the fictile clayAs living birds arose, spread wing, and flew away.Thy lauds and praises, too, breath from thy frame account.Sincerity them vivifies; to heaven they mount.

The rock of Sion danced at sight of Moses’ GodAs perfect cenobite; its faults were all removed.What wonder if a hill should dance and saint become?Was not great Moses’ self a clod of clay and loam?

The Jewish king now manifested great surprise.These things, he said, were mockeries, mere patent lies.His councillors conjured him more sedate to be;And not to push his hardihood to rash degree.These councillors he fettered, into prison cast;Injustice to injustice adding, first and last.

A shout was heard from heaven when matters reached that point:“Jew dog! Prepare for vengeance from on high! Aroynt!”The fire then blazed amain; its flames lapped all around.It slew and burnt the mob of Jews from off the ground.Their origin was hell, from whence their souls had come;Their goal was also hell; to it they now went home.The Jewish race is hellish; many proofs are shown.Parts are they of a whole accursed; as is well known.Their nature hellish; all their joy God’s saints to burn.Their fire recoiled upon themselves. ’Twas justice’ turn.For them, who were, by nature, children born of wrath,The lowest depths of hell were fittest cells, forsooth.A mother ever yearneth after her own child;A dam is ever followed by her offspring wild.

Though true that water may enclosed be in a tank,The air will it absorb. ’Twas thence to earth it sank.Air sets it free; direct, restores it to its source,By little and by little. None perceive its course.

So, too, our breath, in manner like, steals soul away,By little and by little, from this house of clay,In words of praise, ascending to God’s holy throne,From us to where He reigns;--as known to Him alone.

Our breathings rise on wings of true sincerity,The offerings of our hearts to all eternity.We then receive rewards for those poor words of praise,In tenfold showers of mercy from th’ Ancient of Days.And we are still constrained to utter songs of thanks,That man should so be raised above th’ angelic ranks.This rising and descending alternates for aye.The Lord forbid that I should fail therein one day!We’re drawn, we are attracted, so to love the Lord;As we were first instructed, firm to trust His word.

Each man will turn his eyes in hope towards the place,Where he has tasted joy some former day of grace.The pleasures of each kind are most with their own kin;As part must share with whole its qualities, its sin.Things needs must be assigned unto a common class,If aught they have in common; two will form a race.Thus bread and water are not human at the first;But human they become, through hunger and through thirst.In form they have no tie with us of human kind;But through a special link they kindred with us find.

If pleasure, then, we find in what’s not of our race,Be sure there’s some connection through which this takes place.If that connection but resemblance be in shape,It will not last; it’s for a time; it must escape.

’Tis true that birds find pleasure in a whistle’s note;But then they fancy ’tis their mate’s, on whom they dote.And if a thirsty man take pleasure in his wine,He tastes the lees, and loathes. To water he’ll incline.A pauper may amused be with counterfeited coin;But take this to the mint; defaced ’twill be, in fine.Then be not thou misled with gilded counterfeit;Delusion will thee plunge headlong into hell’s pit.

Words in this poem 88

introducer n.: One who, or that which, introduces.
morn n.: The first part of the day; the morning; -- used chiefly in poetry. [OE. morwen, morgen, AS. morgen; akin to D. morgen, OS. morgan, G. morgen, Icel. morginn, morgunn, Sw. morgon, Dan. morgen, Goth. maúrgins. Cf. Morrow, Morning.]
deride v. t.: To laugh at with contempt; to laugh to scorn; to turn to ridicule or make sport of; to mock; to scoff at. [L. deridere, derisum; de- + rid to laugh. See Ridicule.]
cursed a.: Deserving a curse; execrable; hateful; detestable; abominable.
savour v. t.: To perceive by the smell or the taste; hence, to perceive; to note. B. Jonson.
rightly adv.: Straightly; directly; in front. [AS. richtlice.]
scintillation n.: The act of scintillating. [L. scintillatio: cf. F. scintillation.]
greed n.: An eager desire or longing; greediness; as, a greed of gain. [Akin to Goth. grdus hunger, Icel. graedhr. sq. root34. See Greedy.]
bellicose a.: Inclined to war or contention; warlike; pugnacious. [L. bellicosus, fr. bellicus of war, fr. bellum war. See Duel.]
scandal n.: Offense caused or experienced; reproach or reprobation called forth by what is regarded as wrong, criminal, heinous, or flagrant: opprobrium or disgrace. [F. scandale, fr. L. scandalum, Gr. scandle, OF. escandle. See Slander.]
betide v. t.: To happen to; to befall; to come to ; as, woe betide the wanderer. [OE. bitiden; pref. bi-, be- + tiden, fr. AS. tidan, to happen, fr. tid time. See Tide.]
firmament n.: Fixed foundation; established basis. [L. firmamentum, fr. firmare to make firm: cf. F. firmament. See Firm, v. & a.]
splendour n.: Great brightness; brilliant luster; brilliancy; as, the splendor ot the sun. B. Jonson. [L. fr. splendere to shine: cf. F. splendeur.]
disaccord v. i.: To refuse to assent. [Cf. F. désaccorder to cause discord.]
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,]
meekly adv.: In a meek manner.
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.]
ghostly a.: Relating to the soul; not carnal or secular; spiritual; as, a ghostly confessor. [OE. gastlich, gostlich, AS. gastlic. See Ghost.]
keenly adv.: In a keen manner.
portionless a.: Having no portion.
apace adv.: With a quick pace; quick; fast; speedily. [Pref. a- + pace. OE. a pas at a walk, in which a is the article. See Pace.]
anon adv.: Straightway; at once. [OE. anoon, anon, anan, lit., in one (moment), fr. AS. on in + an one. See On and One.]
idol n.: An image or representation of anything. [OE. idole, F. idole, L. idolum, fr. Gr. Wit, and cf. Eidolon.]
whoever pron.: Whatever person; any person who; be or she who; any one who; as, he shall be punished, whoever he may be.
straightway adv.: Immediately; without loss of time; without delay.
ensue v. t.: To follow; to pursue; to follow and overtake. [OF. ensevre, OF. & F. ensuivre, fr. L. insequi; in + sequi to pursue. See Sue.]
wellspring n.: A fountain; a spring; a source of continual supply.
graven p. p.: Carved. Graven image, an idol; an object of worship carved from wood, stone, etc.
graver n.: One who graves; an engraver or a sculptor; one whose occupation is te cut letters or figures in stone or other hard material.
wayside n.: The side of the way; the edge or border of a road or path.
prurient a.: Uneasy with desire; itching; especially, having a lascivious curiosity or propensity; lustful. [L. pruries, -entis, p. pr. of prurire to itch. Cf. Freeze.]
spill n.: A bit of wood split off; a splinter. [sq. root170. Cf. Spell a splinter.]
cooling a.: Adapted to cool and refresh; allaying heat.
smash v. t.: To break in pieces by violence; to dash to pieces; to crush. [Cf. Sw. smisk a blow, stroke, smiska to strike, dial. Sw. smaske to kiss with a noise, and E. smack a loud kiss, a slap.]
pharaoh n.: A title by which the sovereigns of ancient Egypt were designated. [Heb. paroh; of Egyptian origin: cf. L. pharao, Gr. Faro.]
adore v. t.: To worship with profound reverence; to pay divine honors to; to honor as deity or as divine. [OE. aouren, anouren, adoren, OF. aorer, adorer, F. adorer, fr. L. adorare; ad + orare to speak, pray, os, oris, mouth. In OE. confused with honor, the French pr]
retrieve n.: A seeking again; a discovery. B. Jonson.
fraught n.: A freight; a cargo. [OE.fraight, fraght; akin to Dan. fragt, Sw. frakt, D. vracht, G. fracht, cf. OHG. fr merit, reward; perh. from corresponding to E. for + The root of E. own. Cf.]
evermore adv.: During eternity; always; forever; for an indefinite period; at all times; -- often used substantively with for.
babe n.: An infant; a young child of either sex; a baby. [Cf. Ir. bab, baban, W. baban, maban.]
shalt: 2d per. sing. of Shall.
dire a.: Ill-boding; portentous; as, dire omens. [L. dirus; of uncertain origin.]
drear n.: Sadness; dismalness.
womb n.: The belly; the abdomen. [OE. wombe, wambe, AS. wamb, womb; akin to D. wam belly, OS. & OHG. wamba, G. wamme, wampe, Icel. vömb, Sw. v&mb, Dan. vom, Goth. wamba.]
insist v. i.: To stand or rest; to find support; -- with in, on, or upon. [F. insister, L. insistere to set foot upon, follow, persist; pref. in- in + sistere to stand, cause to stand. See Stand.]
bounteous a.: Liberal in charity; disposed to give freely; generously liberal; munificent; beneficent; free in bestowing gifts; as, bounteous production. [OE. bountevous, fr. bounte bounty.]
resigned a.: Submissive; yielding; not disposed to resist or murmur.
martyrdom n.: The condition of a martyr; the death of a martyr; the suffering of death on account of adherence to the Christian faith, or to any cause. [Martyr + -dom.]
fain v. t.: To be glad ; to wish or desire.
thank n.: A expression of gratitude; an acknowledgment expressive of a sense of favor or kindness received; obligation, claim, or desert, or gratitude; -- now generally used in the plural. [AS. Þanc, Þonc, thanks, favor, thought; akin to OS. thank favor, pleasure, thanks, D. & G. dank thanks, Icel. Þ\'94kk, Dan. tak, Sw. tack, Goth. Þagks thanks; -]
beelzebub n.: The title of a heathen deity to whom the Jews ascribed the sovereignty of the evil spirits; hence, the Devil or a devil. See Baal.
darksome a.: Dark; gloomy; obscure; shaded; cheerless.
hundredfold n.: A hundred times as much or as many.
veiling n.: A veil; a thin covering; also, material for making veils.
nakedness n.: The condition of being naked.
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.
favour n.: Kind regard; propitious aspect; countenance; friendly disposition; kindness; good will. [Written also favour.]
contrition n.: The act of grinding or ribbing to powder; attrition; friction; rubbing. [F. contrition, L. contritio.]
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.]
awhile adv.: For a while; for some time; for a short time. [Adj. a + while time, interval.]
wherever adv.: At or in whatever place; wheresoever.
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]
hast: , 2d pers. sing. pres. of. Fave, contr. of havest.
magian a.: Of or pertaining to the Magi.
spurn v. t.: To drive back or away, as with the foot; to kick. [OE. spurnen to kick against, to stumble over, AS. spurnan to kick, offend; akin to spura spur, OS. & OHG. spurnan to kick, Icel. spyrna, L. spernere to despise,]
wast: The second person singular of the verb be, in the indicative mood, imperfect tense; -- now used only in solemn or poetical style.
miscreant n.: One who holds a false religious faith; a misbeliever. [OF. mescreant, F. mécréant; pref. mes- (L. minus less) + p. pr. fr. L. credere to believe. See Creed.]
needful a.: Full of need; in need or want; needy; distressing.
entreat v. t.: To treat, or conduct toward; to deal with; to use. [OE. entreten to treat, request, OF. entraiter to treat of; pref. en- (L. in) + traitier to treat. See Treat.]
deem v. t.: To decide; to judge; to sentence; to condemn. [OE. demen to judge, condemn, AS. d, fr. d doom; akin to OFries. d, OS. ad, D. doemen, OHG. tuommen, Icel. dæma, Sw. dömma, Dan. dömme, Goth. d. See Doom, n., an]
plod v. i.: To travel slowly but steadily; to trudge. [Gf. Gael. plod a clod, a pool; also, to strike or pelt with a clod or clods.]
commandment n.: An order or injunction given by authority; a command; a charge; a precept; a mandate. [OF. commandement, F. commandement.]
lust v. i.: To list; to like. [AS. lystan. See Lust, n., and cf. List to choose.]
forsooth v. t.: To address respectfully with the term forsooth.
gnostic a.: Knowing; wise; shrewd. [Old Slang]
fangless a.: Destitute of fangs or tusks.
wealth n.: Weal; welfare; prosperity; good. [OE. welthe, from wele; cf. D. weelde luxury. See Weal prosperity.]
fictile a.: Molded, or capable of being molded, into form by art; relating to pottery or to molding in any soft material. [L. fictilis. See Fiction.]
clod n.: A lump or mass, especially of earth, turf, or clay. [OE. clodde, latter form of clot. See Clot.]
hardihood n.: Boldness, united with firmness and constancy of mind; bravery; intrepidity; also, audaciousness; impudence. [Hardy + -hood.]
fettered a.: Seeming as if fettered, as the feet pf certain animals which bend backward, and appear unfit for walking.
amain adv.: With might; with full force; vigorously; violently; exceedingly. [Pref. a- + main. See 2d Main, n.]
went n.: Course; way; path; journey; direction.
needs adv.: Of necessity; necessarily; indispensably; -- often with must, and equivalent to of need. [Orig. gen. of need, used as an adverb. Cf. - wards.]
aught n.: Property; possession. [AS. , fr. agan to own, p. p. ahte.]
dote n.: A marriage portion. See 1st Dot, n. Wyatt. [See Dot dowry.]
pauper n.: A poor person; especially, one development on private or public charity. Also used adjectively; as, pouper immigrants, pouper labor. [L. See Poor.]
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.]

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

About this text

Tale IV: Another Jewish King, Persecutor of Christians 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 IV: Another Jewish King, Persecutor of Christians, in The Mesnevi, Book the First (1881), text of Project Gutenberg ebook #61724, Laurel, https://laurelpoetry.com/poem/rumi-masnavi-book-one/4.html, id L28598.

Form and metre

Tale IV: Another Jewish King, Persecutor of Christians is 332 lines in 41 verse paragraphs. It is in rhyming couplets, 87% of the lines. The metre is iambic hexameter, measured from the stress the words themselves fix (confidence 90%).

See other poems in rhyming couplets, other poems in iambic hexameter.

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 AABBCC first^A · thirst^A · king^B · ring^B · introduced^C · abused^C
2 AABBCC ill^A · still^A · guide^B · deride^B · doom^C · gloom^C
3 AABBCCDDEEFF sweet^A · compete^A · aloft^B · oft^B · it^C · writ^C · burns^D · turns^D · room^E · gloom^E · pertains^F · ordains^F
4 AABB born^A · torn^A · bellicose^B · choose^B
5 AABBCCDDEEFF beside^A · betide^A · they^B · day^B · lord^C · disaccord^C · those^D · foes^D · mars^E · wars^E · know^F · trow^F
6 AABBCC souls^A · strolls^A · bride^B · beside^B · might^C · light^C
7 AABB whole^A · soul^A · thing^B · offspring^B
9 AABBCC man^A · plan^A · subside^B · tide^B · apace^C · race^C
10 AABBCC take^A · make^A · soul^B · coal^B · himself^C · elf^C
11 AABBCCDDEE pride^A · bride^A · spark^B · mark^B · steel^C · feel^C · alive^D · drive^D · bright^E · might^E
12 AABBCCDDEE ensue^A · jew^A · end^B · send^B · jug^C · plug^C · tide^D · wayside^D · slush^E · gush^E
13 AABB break^A · slake^A · appear^B · fear^B
15 AABBCCDDEEFF guile^A · spoil^A · then^B · men^B · believe^C · retrieve^C · brought^D · fraught^D · adore^E · evermore^E · belief^F · relief^F
16 AA--BBCCDD--EEFFGGHHII------JJKKLLMMNN flame^A · shame^A · down · alone · dismayed^B · afraid^B · veil^C · hail^C · record^D · lord^D · fire · dire · wrought^E · brought^E · thee^F · see^F · drear^G · clear^G · womb^H · tomb^H · around^I · wound^I · form · worm · hour · pow'r · tenderness · ruthlessness · move^J · prove^J · insist^K · dismissed^K · thee^L · me^L · elect^M · select^M · light^N · night^N
17 AABBCC-- flame^A · shame^A · obey^B · away^B · love^C · move^C · all · full
18 AABBCCDDEE zeal^A · reel^A · flame^B · name^B · jew^C · rue^C · some^D · home^D · tear^E · bare^E
19 AABBCC sustained^A · remained^A · trace^B · grace^B · was^C · alas^C
20 AABBCC proud^A · god^A · halts^B · faults^B · man^C · plan^C
21 AABBCCDDEE brine^A · divine^A · smile^B · awhile^B · green^C · ween^C · weeps^D · keeps^D · woe^E · low^E
22 AA--BB--CC-- thing^A · sting^A · thou · glow · race^B · grace^B · here · power · blind^C · kind^C · natural · prodigal
23 AABBCCDDEE same^A · flame^A · change^B · range^B · dogs^C · logs^C · tent^D · intent^D · lord^E · sward^E
24 --AABBCC harm · warm · part^A · impart^A · prayer^B · care^B · is^C · his^C
25 AABB--CC god^A · plod^A · still^B · will^B · forth · birth · lust^C · must^C
26 AABBCCDDEE look^A · book^A · cause^B · rose^B · wrought^C · doubt^C · when^D · ken^D · act^E · counteract^E
27 AABBCCDD reach^A · each^A · wound^B · found^B · steer^C · sphere^C · wheel^D · feel^D
28 AABBCCDDEE decree^A · be^A · wrath^B · forsooth^B · power^C · hour^C · drew^D · blew^D · soon^E · strewn^E
29 AABBCC fold^A · cold^A · praise^B · seize^B · spell^C · well^C
30 ----AA one · stone · death · heath · offend^A · friend^A
31 AA---- lust^A · crust^A · command · drown'd · word · spared
32 AABB clay^A · away^A · account^B · mount^B
33 AABB god^A · removed^A · become^B · loam^B
34 AABBCC surprise^A · lies^A · be^B · degree^B · cast^C · last^C
35 AABBCCDDEEFFGG point^A · aroynt^A · around^B · ground^B · come^C · home^C · shown^D · known^D · burn^E · turn^E · wrath^F · forsooth^F · child^G · wild^G
36 AABB tank^A · sank^A · source^B · course^B
37 AABB away^A · clay^A · throne^B · alone^B
38 --AABB---- sincerity · eternity · praise^A · days^A · thanks^B · ranks^B · aye · day · lord · word
39 AABB-ACCDD place^A · grace^A · kin^B · sin^B · class · race^A · first^C · thirst^C · kind^D · find^D
40 AABB race^A · place^A · shape^B · escape^B
41 AABB-BCC note^A · dote^A · wine^B · incline^B · coin · fine^B · counterfeit^C · pit^C

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 hexameter. How this is done.

Line	Syl.	Stress
A second Jewish king, descendant of the first,	12	·/˘/˘·˘/˘···
To persecute the Christians showed hate’s fiercest thirst.	12	·/˘··/˘··/˘·
If information’s sought about this wicked king,	12	··˘/˘····/˘·
That chapter of the Qur’ān read: “Heaven’s Girdle-Ring.”	13	·/˘·····/˘/˘·
A sorry rite it was the first had introduced;	12	·/˘·······˘/
With cruel zeal this wicked rite the last abused.	12	·/˘··/˘···˘/
The introducer of a rule that tends to ill,	12	············
Draws on his head deep curses, morn and even, still.	12	·····/˘··/˘·
The good decease; their bright example serves as guide;	12	··˘/··˘/˘···
The wicked soon decay; their name all men deride.	12	·/˘·˘/····˘/
The children of those sinners, till the trump of doom,	12	·/˘··/˘·····
Are cursed as soon as born; no lot more full of gloom.	12	············
How many springs burst forth, one salt, the other sweet;	12	·/˘······/˘·
Their savour changes, while the days and nights compete.	12	·/˘/˘·····˘/
The good are promised their inheritance aloft,	12	···/˘·˘/˘˘˘/
Of waters sweet; in Scripture mentioned oft and oft.	12	·/˘··/˘/˘···
The seeker’s wish, if rightly we consider it,	12	·/˘··/˘·˘/˘·
A scintillation is of flame from holy writ.	12	·········/˘·
No flame exists apart from body whence it burns;	12	··˘/˘/·/˘···
Where’er the burning body hies, the flame, too, turns.	13	˘˘/·/˘/˘·····
A window-light will wander all around a room;	12	·/˘··/˘·····
Because the rising sun to sunset tends, and gloom.	12	···/˘··/····
That which to any constellation’s stars pertains,	12	···/˘·˘/˘·˘/
Must move with it, rise, set, south, as its place ordains.	12	··········˘/
The man who under Venus’ influence was born	12	·····/˘/˘˘··
Is joyous, amorous, ambitious, with greed torn.	12	·/˘/˘˘˘/˘···
If Mars his planet be, his temper’s bellicose;	12	···/˘··/˘/˘·
War, scandal, litigation,--these he most does choose.	12	·/˘·˘/˘·····
But other stars there are, the planets, seven, beside;	12	·/˘····/˘/˘/
And unto men from them nor good, nor ills betide.	12	··········˘/
Revolving in another firmament than they,	12	˘/˘·˘/˘/˘˘··
Above the spheres that bear the orbs of night and day.	12	············
Bright through the moral splendour lent them by the Lord;	12	···/˘/˘·····
Not bound together quite, nor yet in disaccord.	12	··˘/˘·······
The man whose soul is influenced by one of those,	12	·····/˘˘····
Like meteors, still shall drive away the spirit’s foes.	12	·/˘···˘/·/˘·
His disposition feeleth not the rage of Mars;	12	··˘/˘/˘·····
He temporises;--meekly acts in prosperous wars.	12	·/˘·˘/˘··/˘·
His light’s triumphant;--darkness it shall never know.	12	··˘/˘/˘··/˘·
Between two fingers holdeth he the truth, I trow.	12	···/˘/˘·····
The truth doth shed a shining light on human souls,	12	·····/˘··/˘·
Received by heaven’s favourites, in special ghostly strolls.	14	˘/·/˘····/˘/˘·
Illumined with that light, as spangles deck a bride,	12	˘/˘····/˘···
They turn their souls to God, contemning all beside.	12	··········˘/
Who feels not keenly love’s great soul-compelling might,	12	···/˘···˘/˘·
Is portionless of spangles from truth’s flashing light.	12	·/˘˘·/˘··/˘·
All parts must ever share the nature of their whole,	12	···/˘··/˘···
As nightingale pours out unto one rose its soul.	12	·/˘˘········
Whatever property may qualify a thing	12	·/˘/˘˘·/˘···
Externally, man’s qualities are mind’s offspring.	12	˘/˘˘·/˘˘··/·
From purity, rich colours rise, good qualities;	12	·/˘˘·/˘··/˘˘
Stains,--moral, or as dyes,--from gross impurities.	12	·/˘·····˘/˘˘
“God’s Baptism” is the name of all that’s good in man;	12	·/˘·········
“The curse of God,” of all that’s evil in our plan.	12	·······/·/˘·
In which of these two seas our streamlets may subside,	12	······/···˘/
They but return into the source from whence their tide.	12	··˘/········
From mountain-tops, swift torrents rushing down apace.	12	·/˘··/˘/˘·˘/
From men’s frames, love-inspired souls, anon the race.	12	····˘/˘·˘/··
The counsel hear, that now, this Jewish dog did take.	12	·/˘····/˘···
Beside a fire a hideous idol he did make,	12	˘/·/·/˘/˘···
And proclamation ran: “Whoever ’d save his soul,	13	··˘/˘·˘/˘····
This idol worships; or in fire he’s burnt to coal.”	12	·/˘/˘··/····
Thus having made his hate an idol to himself,	12	·/˘····/˘·˘/
A second idol straightway he invents, this elf.	12	·/˘/˘/˘·˘/··
The mother of all idols is our fleshly pride.	12	·/˘··/˘·//˘·
They’re dragons; this, the egg of cockatrice’s bride.	12	·/˘·········
The flesh is flint and steel; our pride is but its spark.	12	······/·····
That pride pervades the flesh as fecundation’s mark.	12	··˘/········
Can moisture quench the latent spark in flint and steel?	12	·/˘··/˘·····
Can man be safe while flesh and pride he lives to feel;	12	············
In flint and steel we know that fire is still alive.	12	·······/··˘/
No water’s of avail that fire from them to drive.	12	·/˘·˘/·/····
With water we put out a fire when burning bright;	12	·/˘····/·/˘·
The spark in flint and steel is safe from water’s might.	12	·········/˘·
From flint and steel of flesh what burnings still ensue!	12	·······/˘·˘/
Their sparks, the blasphemies of Christian and of Jew!	12	···/˘˘·/˘···
If water in the jug and pitcher come to end,	12	·/˘····/˘···
On wellspring we must draw, a fresh supply to send.	12	·/······˘/··
Our idol is the muddy dregs left in our jug;	12	//˘··/˘···/·
The flesh the sewer from whence it filters, spite of plug.	13	···/˘···/˘···
The graven idol (fed from blackest sewer tide	12	·/˘/˘··/˘/˘·
In flesh, its graver), was as fountain by wayside.	12	···/˘··/˘·/·
The inward idol, pride, the filthy jug’s black slush;	12	·/˘/˘··/˘···
The prurient flesh, the source from which it had its gush.	12	·/˘·········
A hundred potters’ pitchers one small stone can break;	12	·/˘/˘/˘·····
And spill the cooling water drawn our thirst to slake.	12	···/˘/˘·/···
To smash an idol, too, quite easy may appear;	12	···/˘··/˘·˘/
Not easy to root out the flesh; too hard, I fear.	12	·/˘·········
Would see the picture of the flesh, inquiring youths?	12	···/˘···˘/˘·
Description read of hell, with seven yawning mouths.	12	˘/˘····/˘/˘·
From each soul’s flesh comes forth a special mode of guile.	12	·······/˘···
Each guile, a whirlpool ready Pharaoh’s hosts to spoil.	12	···/·/˘/˘···
In Moses, and in Moses’ God, seek refuge then.	12	·/˘··/˘··/˘·
Abandon not God’s faith for Pharaohs and their men.	12	˘/˘····/˘···
The one true God adore; in Ahmed’s faith believe.	12	····˘/·/˘·˘/
Thy soul and body save,--from Abū-Jahl retrieve.	11	···/˘····˘/
The Jew a Christian mother to that idol brought.	12	···/˘/˘··/˘·
An infant in her arms; the fire with blazes fraught.	12	·/˘····/·/˘·
“Fall down and worship;” cried he, “senseless stock adore;	12	···/˘··/˘·˘/
The fire shall then not harm thee, now, nor evermore.”	12	·/·······/˘·
That mother was a woman firm in true belief;	12	·/˘··/˘···˘/
And thence disdained prostration, though ’t should give relief.	13	··˘/˘/˘····˘/
They snatched her infant; next, they dashed it in the flame.	12	···/˘·······
The mother’s spirit quailed to see this deed of shame.	12	·/˘/˘·······
Though not herself, to save her infant, she’d bow down.	12	··˘/···/˘···
But lo! a miracle! The babe cried: “Let alone!	12	···/˘˘····˘/
Uninjured am I here. Come in. Be not dismayed.	12	˘/˘·······˘/
’Tis cool and pleasant. Cease to feel of fire afraid;—	12	···/˘····/˘/
Mere blinding bandage to the eyes;--naught but a veil.	12	·/˘/˘·······
God’s mercy’s here revealed,--made manifest. All hail!	12	·/˘·˘/·/˘···
Come in, my mother, dear. The truth thou shalt record.	12	···/˘·····˘/
Thou’lt here perceive how saints hold converse with the Lord.	12	··˘/···/˘···
Come in; and witness water blazing high, as fire.	13	···/˘/˘/˘··/˘
This is a world where flame like water is;--not dire.	12	·······/˘···
Come. Look on miracles for blessed Abr’am wrought;	12	···/˘˘··˘˘/·
Whose furnace changed to gardens, out of firewood brought.	13	·/˘··/˘··/˘··
Death then I underwent, when I was born of thee.	12	····˘/······
The fear of death swept o’er me, ere my eyes could see.	12	············
With birth I ’scaped from prison, narrow, dark, and drear;	12	·····/˘/˘···
Emerging to a world, vast, radiant, bright, and clear.	12	˘/˘····/˘···
Alas! that world, you see, is but a second womb.	12	˘/·······/˘·
Joy, comfort, happiness, are found beyond the tomb.	12	·/˘/˘˘······
Within this fire a realm of wonders lies around;	12	···/···/˘···
Each atom’s here a Jesus;--balm to heal each wound.	12	·/˘··/˘·····
This world I’m in’s reality;--not merely form.	12	····˘/˘˘·/˘·
The scene I’ve left’s all vanity;--food for the worm.	12	·····/˘˘····
Come in, my mother; quick! Seize this auspicious hour.	13	···/˘···˘/˘/˘
Come in! Let opportunity not ’scape thy pow’r.	12	····˘/˘˘····
Come in; come in; in name of parent’s tenderness.	12	·······/˘/˘˘
Come in! This fire has no devouring ruthlessness.	13	···/··˘/˘˘/˘˘
Come in! Thou’st witnessed all that Jewish dog can move.	12	···/˘··/˘···
Come in! The grace and power of God Almighty prove.	12	·····/··˘/˘·
’Tis from my love for thee I thus so much insist;	12	··········˘/
From pleasure felt by me, for thee I’ve fear dismissed.	12	·/˘·······˘/
Come in; come in! And others call, to follow thee.	12	·····/˘··/˘·
The Great King here His bounteous table’s spread for me.	13	·····/˘˘/˘···
Come in; come in! All of you, saints of God, elect!	12	··········˘/
Resigned ones! Faith’s cup of martyrdom select!	12	˘/˘····/˘˘˘/
Come in! Flock in; in crowds; as moths around a light!	12	············
This year has tens of thousands springs; but not one night.”	12	·····/˘·····
Thus loudly cried the infant from its bed of flame.	12	·/˘··/˘·····
Th’ assembled crowds all heard it. All were seized with shame.	12	˘/˘·········
A sudden holy impulse urged them to obey.	12	·/˘/˘/˘···˘/
In crowds those men and women cast their lives away.	12	·····/˘···˘/
No force was needed;--no compulsion;--all was love;	12	···/˘·˘/˘···
For bitterness is sweet to all whom love doth move.	12	·/˘˘········
To such a point it came that guards and soldiers, all,	12	·········/˘·
Were fain to cry: “Withhold! The fire is more than full!”	12	····˘/·/····
The Jewish king at sight of all this love and zeal,	12	·/˘·········
Was shamed,--was thunderstruck; his wicked heart did reel.	12	···/˘··/˘···
He saw that faith can give the lover’s ardent flame.	12	·······/˘/˘·
Self-sacrifice is naught in true devotion’s name.	12	·/˘·····˘/˘·
Thank God! Beelzebub was conquered in that Jew.	12	··˘/˘˘·/˘···
Thank God! ’Twas Satan’s self these darksome deeds did rue.	12	···/˘··/˘···
The shame he sought to bring upon the cheeks of some,	12	············
A hundredfold was heaped on his own head at home.	12	·/˘˘········
He thought from others’ shame the veiling leaf to tear;	12	···/˘··/˘···
He saw them safe, his own foul nakedness laid bare.	12	·······/˘˘··
A ribald fellow once, by lewdest mob sustained,	12	·/˘/˘··/˘·˘/
Called railing out on Ahmed. Wry his mouth remained.	12	·/˘··/˘···˘/
He then came begging pity, in the Prophet’s trace:	12	···/˘/˘··/˘·
“Forgive, Muhammed, who’rt endued with wisdom’s grace.	12	˘/˘/˘·˘/·/˘·
For want of knowing better, insolent I was.	12	···/˘/˘/˘˘··
’Tis I that merit scorn and mockery. Alas!”	12	···/˘··/˘˘˘/
When God decides to humble any sinner, proud,	12	··˘/·/˘/˘/˘·
A demon stirs this last t’ insult some man of God.	13	·/˘····/·····
And he whom God elects to cloak where ’tis he halts,	12	····˘/······
Has grace bestowed on him to cover others’ faults.	12	··˘/···/˘/˘·
Should favour from the Lord in mercy reach a man,	12	·/˘····/˘···
Humility is given him; to pray ’s part of his plan.	13	˘/˘·/········
How blessed are the eyes that smart with sorrow’s brine!	12	··˘······/˘·
How blessed is the heart inflamed with love divine!	12	··˘···˘/··˘/
Contrition’s tears are ever hallowed by heaven’s smile.	12	˘/˘··//˘·/˘·
The latter end of all things man should scan awhile.	12	·/˘·······˘/
Wherever water flows, the fields are fresh and green.	12	˘/˘/˘·······
Tears followed are by grace;--as all the prophets ween.	12	·/˘······/˘·
Then imitate the water-wheel, that groans and weeps.	12	·/˘··/˘·····
By prayers, and moans, and tears, a man his heart pure keeps.	12	············
Wouldst thou shed tears? Feel pity, when thou meetest woe.	12	·····/˘··/˘·
Wouldst mercy find? Show mercy, when men bow them low.	12	·/˘··/˘·····
The Jewish king reproached the fire: “O raging thing!	12	·/˘·˘/·/·/˘·
Thy all-destructive might, where is it? Where’s thy sting?	12	··˘/˘·······
If thou wilt not consume, what quality hast thou?	12	····˘/·/˘˘··
Or has my fortune veered; and with it, thy dread glow?	12	···/˘·······
Thou sparest not thy worshippers, the Magian race.	12	·/˘··/˘·/˘˘·
Whence comes it; these who spurn thee, Christians, meet with grace?	12	·······/˘···
Thou never wast, O fire, for patience noted here.	12	·/··/˘·/˘/˘·
Why burn’st thou not? What is there? Hast thou lost thy power?	13	···········/˘
Is this eye-binding? Is it, rather, reason’s blind?	12	···/˘··/˘/˘·
How is’t thy flames consume not all their hated kind?	12	····˘/···/˘·
Bewitched thee have they? Or is’t magic natural?	12	˘/·····/˘/˘˘
Or is’t my fortune wills that thou turn prodigal?”	12	···/˘····/˘˘
To him the fire: “O miscreant! I’m still the same.	12	···/·/˘˘····
Come in and try, thou, how thou’lt find my smallest flame.	12	·········/˘·
My nature, as my substance, has not suffered change.	12	·/˘··/˘··/˘·
Outside my nature’s limit I’ve no power to range.	12	//·/˘/˘··/··
At door of Turkman’s tent the savage household dogs	12	·······/˘/··
Do wag their tails before a guest, and crouch like logs.	12	············
But should a stranger pass by, near the guarded tent,	12	···/˘····/˘·
Him then those dogs assail, with lion-like intent.	12	····˘/·/˘·˘/
Less than a dog I’m not, in service to my Lord.	12	·······/˘···
Than Turkman less, there’s none, in rights, upon earth’s sward.”	12	············
When fire thy body injures, and inflicts some harm;	12	·/·/˘/˘·˘/··
Remember, its consuming power can also warm.	12	˘/˘·˘/˘/·/˘·
And when a fire thus serves thee, acts some needful part,	12	···/·····/˘·
Reflect! Those qualities thou seest did God impart.	12	˘/·/˘˘····˘/
Art injured, ’haps? Fall down; entreat the Lord with prayer.	12	·/˘···˘/····
The hurtful power was given by Him in gracious care.	12	·/˘/·/···/˘·
Should He so will, each injury a blessing is.	12	·····/˘˘·/˘·
Chained captives find their freedom by a word of His.	12	·/˘··/˘·····
Fire, air, earth, water, all are servants of their God.	12	/··/˘··/˘···
I, thou, them lifeless deem. He knows they live and plod.	12	···/˘·······
In presence of the great Creator fire must still	12	·/˘···˘/˘/··
Its service do; and, lover-like, work out His will.	12	·/˘··/˘·····
Thou strikest flint on steel; fire instantly leaps forth.	12	·/˘···//˘˘··
’Tis by commandment of the Lord it thus takes birth.	12	··˘/˘·······
Strike not together, thou, the flint and steel of lust.	12	··˘/˘·······
For, male and female like, they’ll generate; they must.	12	···/···/˘···
The flint and steel are means. Far higher raise thy look.	12	·······/˘···
With reason thou’rt endowed. Go; read the holy book.	12	·/˘·˘/···/˘·
One means comes from another means; and cause from cause.	12	····˘/˘·····
Without a means or cause, no means from self e’er rose.	12	············
The means by which all prophets’ miracles are wrought,	12	·····/˘/˘˘··
Of higher order are than earthly means; no doubt.	12	·/˘/˘··/˘···
Man’s mind can compass how these latter act, and when;	12	···/˘··/˘···
The former hidden are from all but prophet’s ken.	12	·/˘/˘····/˘·
These former ’tis that give the latter power to act;	12	·/˘····/˘/··
And rarely, that, their normal action, counteract.	12	·/˘··/˘/˘/˘·
A means a rope is, by the help of which we reach;	12	············
And in this worldly pit by means each reaches each.	12	···/˘····/˘·
Around its coiling cylinder the well-rope’s wound.	12	···/˘/˘˘····
To shut our eyes to this would blind indeed be found.	12	··/·····˘/··
The ropes by means of which results are seen to steer,	12	······˘/····
In this our world, deem not they’re moved by star or sphere;	12	··/·········
Lest thou become confused and giddy like a wheel;—	12	··˘/˘/·/˘···
Take fire, consume, like tinder, sparks of shame to feel.	12	·/˘/·/˘·····
The air becomes a fire at times by God’s decree.	12	··˘/·/····˘/
Both air and fire run wild with joy, His means to be.	12	···/········
The streams of mercy, the consuming fires of wrath,	12	···/˘·˘/˘/··
Thou’lt see, my son, are both from God. Look well, forsooth.	12	··········˘/
Were not the wind aware of God’s almighty power,	13	····˘/··˘/˘/˘
How had it ever blown the blast of ‘Ād’s last hour?	13	···/˘······/˘
Around his Muslims Hūd a saving circle drew.	12	···/˘··/˘/˘·
The wind within that mystic circuit softly blew.	12	·····/˘/˘/˘·
While all that were beyond were dashed to pieces soon.	12	·········/˘·
Like chaff before the breeze, their limbs around were strewn.	12	············
Shaybān the shepherd, too, a circle round his fold	12	···/˘··/˘···
Was used to draw; whate’er the season, hot or cold;	13	····˘˘/·/˘···
On Fridays, when, at midday’s sacred hour of praise,	12	·/˘··/·/˘/··
He to a congregation hied; lest wolf should seize.	12	····˘/˘·····
No wolf was ever known to break the holy spell;	12	···/˘····/˘·
Nor sheep to stray beyond; each knew the limit well.	12	·········/˘·
To wind, to wolf, to sheep, and lusts of every one,	12	·········/˘·
The circle traced by saint a barrier was, like stone.	12	·/˘····/˘···
To Gnostic, so likewise, the harmless gale of death	12	·/˘·/··/˘···
Blows mild and gentle, summer-breezes-like on heath.	12	···/˘/˘/˘···
And fire was fangless; could not Abraham offend.	12	·/·/˘··/˘·˘/
How should it hurt him? Was he not God’s “Chosen Friend”?	12	·········/˘·
The pious man burns not in fire of fleshly lust.	12	·/····/˘·/˘·
But sinners still consumed are upon earth’s crust.	12	·/˘·˘/˘·····
The Red Sea waves, all raging by divine command,	12	·····/˘·˘/˘/
The host of Israel knew; but Pharaoh’s armies drown’d.	12	···/˘··/˘/˘·
The earth, again, wide gaping at Jehovah’s word,	12	··˘/·/˘·˘/˘·
Did Korah and his wealth devour; but Moses spared.	12	······˘/·/˘·
In Jesu’s hand, warmed with his breath, the fictile clay	12	·/˘······/˘·
As living birds arose, spread wing, and flew away.	12	·/˘·˘/····˘/
Thy lauds and praises, too, breath from thy frame account.	12	···/˘·····˘/
Sincerity them vivifies; to heaven they mount.	12	˘/˘˘····/˘··
The rock of Sion danced at sight of Moses’ God	12	·····˘···/˘·
As perfect cenobite; its faults were all removed.	12	·/·/˘˘····˘/
What wonder if a hill should dance and saint become?	12	·/˘·······˘/
Was not great Moses’ self a clod of clay and loam?	12	···/˘·······
The Jewish king now manifested great surprise.	12	·/˘··/˘·˘·˘/
These things, he said, were mockeries, mere patent lies.	12	·····/˘˘·/˘·
His councillors conjured him more sedate to be;	12	····/˘··˘/··
And not to push his hardihood to rash degree.	12	·····/˘˘··˘/
These councillors he fettered, into prison cast;	12	·····/˘··/˘·
Injustice to injustice adding, first and last.	12	˘/˘·˘/˘/˘···
A shout was heard from heaven when matters reached that point:	12	·····/·/˘···
“Jew dog! Prepare for vengeance from on high! Aroynt!”	12	··˘/·/˘···˘/
The fire then blazed amain; its flames lapped all around.	12	·/··˘/······
It slew and burnt the mob of Jews from off the ground.	12	············
Their origin was hell, from whence their souls had come;	12	·/˘˘········
Their goal was also hell; to it they now went home.	12	···/˘·······
The Jewish race is hellish; many proofs are shown.	12	·/˘··/˘/˘···
Parts are they of a whole accursed; as is well known.	12	············
Their nature hellish; all their joy God’s saints to burn.	12	·/˘/˘·······
Their fire recoiled upon themselves. ’Twas justice’ turn.	12	·/˘/··˘/·/˘·
For them, who were, by nature, children born of wrath,	12	·····/˘/˘···
The lowest depths of hell were fittest cells, forsooth.	12	·/˘····/˘·˘/
A mother ever yearneth after her own child;	12	·/˘/˘/˘·····
A dam is ever followed by her offspring wild.	12	···/˘/˘··/··
Though true that water may enclosed be in a tank,	12	···/˘·˘/····
The air will it absorb. ’Twas thence to earth it sank.	12	····˘/······
Air sets it free; direct, restores it to its source,	12	····˘/˘/····
By little and by little. None perceive its course.	12	·/˘··/˘·˘/··
So, too, our breath, in manner like, steals soul away,	12	··/··/˘···˘/
By little and by little, from this house of clay,	12	·/˘··/˘·····
In words of praise, ascending to God’s holy throne,	12	····˘/˘··/˘·
From us to where He reigns;--as known to Him alone.	12	··········˘/
Our breathings rise on wings of true sincerity,	13	/˘/˘·····˘/˘˘
The offerings of our hearts to all eternity.	13	·/˘˘·/···˘/˘˘
We then receive rewards for those poor words of praise,	12	··˘/˘/······
In tenfold showers of mercy from th’ Ancient of Days.	12	·/·/·/˘·/˘··
And we are still constrained to utter songs of thanks,	12	····˘/·/˘···
That man should so be raised above th’ angelic ranks.	12	·········/˘·
This rising and descending alternates for aye.	12	·/˘·˘/˘/˘···
The Lord forbid that I should fail therein one day!	12	··˘/········
We’re drawn, we are attracted, so to love the Lord;	12	····˘/˘·····
As we were first instructed, firm to trust His word.	12	····˘/˘·····
Each man will turn his eyes in hope towards the place,	12	············
Where he has tasted joy some former day of grace.	12	···/˘··/˘···
The pleasures of each kind are most with their own kin;	12	·/˘·········
As part must share with whole its qualities, its sin.	12	·······/˘˘··
Things needs must be assigned unto a common class,	12	····˘/···/˘·
If aught they have in common; two will form a race.	12	·····/˘·····
Thus bread and water are not human at the first;	12	···/˘··/˘···
But human they become, through hunger and through thirst.	12	·/˘·˘/·/˘···
In form they have no tie with us of human kind;	12	·········/˘·
But through a special link they kindred with us find.	12	···/˘··/˘···
If pleasure, then, we find in what’s not of our race,	12	·/˘·······/·
Be sure there’s some connection through which this takes place.	12	····˘/˘·····
If that connection but resemblance be in shape,	12	··˘/˘·˘/˘···
It will not last; it’s for a time; it must escape.	12	··········˘/
’Tis true that birds find pleasure in a whistle’s note;	12	·····/˘··/˘·
But then they fancy ’tis their mate’s, on whom they dote.	12	···/˘·······
And if a thirsty man take pleasure in his wine,	12	···/˘··/˘···
He tastes the lees, and loathes. To water he’ll incline.	12	·······/˘·˘/
A pauper may amused be with counterfeited coin;	13	·/˘·˘/··/˘·˘·
But take this to the mint; defaced ’twill be, in fine.	12	······˘/····
Then be not thou misled with gilded counterfeit;	12	····˘/·/˘/˘·
Delusion will thee plunge headlong into hell’s pit.	12	˘/˘···/·····

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.

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The Mesnevi, Book the First