Chapter X: Story of the Drunkard at the Mosque

I have heard that, excited with liquor, a manWithin a Mosque's holiest sanctuary ran.He wept at the threshold of mercy, and said :"Oh God! into Paradise may I be led !"The mosque-crier collared him, saying, "Take heed !Dog and mosque! Oh thou wanting in wisdom and creed!What have you done to ask for a Paradise place?To ogle becomes not your beautiless face."Thus spoke the old man; and the drunkard wept sore,Saying, " Master ! I'm drunk, do not worry me more !You're amazed that the mercy of God has such scope,That even a sinner may venture to hope!Not to you do I say—my excuses receive !Wide's the door of repentance, and God will relieve!"At the kind Giver's favour I, too, suffer shame,That before his forgiveness, great sins I can name.When age robs a person of strength, without doubt,If no one assists him, he can't move about.I am that aged man, who has fallen from place ;Assist me, oh God! by Thy favour and grace!I do not say, " Greatness and rank give to me !"But " From sorrow and sin, grant that I may be free !"If a friend happen some of my failings to know,From folly, he makes them in public to go.Thou hast vision! Alarm at each other we feel!Thou secrets concealest ! we secrets reveal!From the outside, the people have caused an uproar ;The slave's secrets Thou sharest and cover'st them o'er.If through foolishness slaves become arrogant, then,The masters will through their offence draw the pen.If Thou pardon becoming Thy bounty's degree,In existence a sinner there never will be.If befitting our errors Thy anger prevails,Despatch us to Hell, and don't ask for the scales !I'll accomplish my wish, if Thou take my weak hand;And if Thou cast me down, none will help me to stand.Who will practise oppression, if Thou wilt befriend?Who will seize me, if freedom to me Thou extend ?Two sects there will be on the last Judgment Day ;I know not to which they will show me the way."Twill be strange if my road to the right hand should be?For crookedness only has risen from me.This hope my heart gives me, again and again,That God is ashamed of the grey hairs of men.I wonder if He is ashamed about me?As shame for myself, I'm unable to see.Did not Joseph, who heavy misfortunes endured,And for long in a prison was closely immured,When his orders were current all over the land,And his dignity also became very grand,Forgive Jacob's sons for the sins they had wrought?(For a face that is handsome with virtue is fraught)He did not confine them for having transgressed,And did not refuse the small stock they possessed.This hope of Thy favour I too entertain;Oh God! to forgive a poor stockless one deign !None whose cry of distress is rejected on high,Has a record more black nor eyes moister than I!My hope in Thy aiding alone, do I place;And my trust is that I shall be saved by Thy grace.No capital, saving fond hope, do I bear;Of Thy pardon, oh God! do not make me despair!