Chapter VII: On the Advantage of Screening

A certain one sat before David of Tai,Saying, "So and so Sufi I saw tipsy lie ;His turban and shirt stained with vomited food,A number of dogs in a ring round him stood."When the good-natured man heard this tale to a close,On his face angry frowns at the speaker arose.He was wroth for a little and said, "Oh my friend!To-day a kind comrade will prove a Godsend.Go! and bring him away from that horrible place!For by law it's forbid; to our sect, it's disgrace !On your back, man-like, bring him, for drunkards they say,Do not hold in their fingers the reins of the way !"These words made the hearer look wretchedly blank;Like an ass in the mire, in reflection he sank.He could not evade the injunction he got ;And he loathed to convey on his shoulders a sot.He writhed for a time but no remedy saw,Nor means from the order his head to withdraw.He got ready and carried him off, without choice,On his shoulders ; the city roughs making a noise.One cursing them shouted, "These Dervishes heed !How good are their piety, chasteness and creed!""See the wine-drinking Sufis !" another one cried,"Who have pawned their patched garments for wine, fortified!"People pointed their fingers as onwards they slunk,Saying, "This one's top-heavy and that one half drunk !"A sword on the neck, struck by tyrannous foe,Is more just than town jeers and the rage of the "low."Misfortune he bore ; passed a troublesome day ;Without choice, he conveyed him to where his home lay.From reflection and shame, he was sleepless that night;Next morning Tai smiling remarked, at his plight :"In the street, you should never a brother defame !For Time, in the city will treat you the same !"