Chapter III: Story of the Moth and the Candle

Some one said to a moth, " Oh, contemptible mite !Go! love one who will your affection requite !A road you should walk in which hope's path you see ;Between you and the candle no friendship can be !You are no Salamander ; don't flit round the light !You must courage display when you purpose to fight !The mole lies concealed from the light of the sun,For against iron claws it is folly to run.When for certain you find that a man is your foe,It would not be right, for him friendship to show.No one tells you, 'Your conduct is perfectly rightIn destroying your life for the love of the light !'The beggar who wished he a princess might wed,Nursed a passion absurd, and got beaten, instead!Will the candle include one like you as a friend,When to look at her sultans and kings condescend?Do not think, that with such an assembly in view,She will cherish regard for a creature, like you !And if to mankind she is gentle and sweet,Your are helpless, and therefore she shows you her heat."Observe what the moth, full of hot anguish, said :"If I burn, oh astonishing! What is the dread?As occurred to the "friend," in my heart a fire glows,Hence, I fancy the flame is a beautiful rose !My heart does not pull my heart-ravisher's tails ;But, rather, her friendship my life's collar hales.I set not myself out of pleasure on fire,For circling my neck is the chain of desire.While still at a distance her heat to me came,Not now that my body is burned by her flame—In the smiles of a mistress a friend acts not soThat he can, by her side, aught of piety show—At my love for my friend, who on me casts a slur,Since I gladly accept immolation from her?Why I long to be killed, are you able to tell?If she live, although I am no more, it is well!I am burning—for she is a ravishing friend—In the hope that my burning to her may extend.How long will you say : 'In accord with your state,Secure a companion who'll pity your fate !'Your advice to a lover distracted, comes nighTo telling a scorpion-stung man not to cry."Oh wonder ! a man for advice don't select,On whom you are sure it will have no effect !When the reins from a helpless one's palm chance to go,They say not: "Oh boy, drive a little more slow !"How well in the Sindbad is mentioned this truth :"Love is truly a fire, may it teach you, oh youth !"A fire, by the wind is increased much in strength;By attacking, a leopard grows fiercer, at length.When I saw you were good, you have wickedness shown,For you force my face downwards, the same as your own.Than yourself, seek a better ! and deem it a joyThat with one like yourself, you the time can destroy.After those, like themselves, self-conceited folk stalk ;In a street, full of danger, inebriates walk.When first to engage in this work I agreed,My heart from the head of existence I freed.He who risks life in war, as a lover is true ;The cowardly man keeps his self-love in view.Fate will suddenly kill me, while lying in wait ;I would rather that dear one would slaughter me, straight.On the head of destruction when, doubtless, is writ,To death, at the hand of a mistress, submit !Won't you helplessly, one day, your life give away?For the sake of your love, better give it to-day !