Chapter II: Story on the Meaning of Kindness

Some one crossing the desert a thirsty dog found ;The last breath was just left in the life of the houndThat Faith-approved man used as bucket his hat,And in place of a rope, tied his turban to that.He bared both his arms and made ready to save;To the poor, helpless animal, water he gave.The Prophet, the state of that person explained,And release for his sin from the Maker obtained.If you are a tyrant, beware and reflect !The path of the gen'rous and faithful, select !He, in saving a dog, did not sympathy waste;When is goodness in keeping. of good men effaced?Be as gen'rous as ever you possibly can !God shuts not the portal of joy upon man.If you have not a well in the desert to show,Put a lamp in the place unto which pilgrims go !Gold bestowed from a treasure in sackfuls, like spoil,Does not match one dinar, from the hard hand of Toil.A man in accord with his strength carries weight;In front of an emmet, a locust's leg's great !Oh fortunate. man ! keep men's welfare in view,That, to-morrow, the Lord deal not harshly with you !He who does not from helping the fallen refrain,Should he tumble himself, will not captive remain.On a slave, do not exercise harshly command!For it may be. that empire will. fall to his hand.When. your grandeur and pomp are established secure,Be not harsh to your subjects, although they, are poor !For grandeur and pomp they may, some day, possess—Like the pawn that, at once, takes the Queen's place in chess.Men who see what is good, and to counsels give heed,In any one's heart will not sow hatred's seed.The harvest's proud owner but does himself harm,When haughty to gleaners who visit his farm.He fears, lest the Lord show the poor gleaner grace,And, therefore, Grief's load on his conscience should place.Full many a strong one has drained Ruin's cup;And Fortune has helped many ruined men up.It is wrong, then, the hearts of your subjects to break,For as subject, one morn, you may chance to awake.