Chapter VII: Story on Purification before Prayer

In my childhood, a longing to fast filled me quite ;I could not distinguish the left from the right.An adorer among the good men of the place,Taught me all about washing the hands and the face.First, repeat, " In God's name," as the prophet commands!Next determine a vow ! wash the palms of your hands !After that, wash your mouth and nose thrice, with despatch!The nostrils with both little fingers, then, scratch !With the forefinger, afterwards, rub the front teeth ;For a tooth-brush is wrong when the sun sinks beneath.Dash a handful of water, then, thrice in your face !From the hair of the head to the chin, is the place.After that, wash your arms to the elbows in height !In worshipping God, all you know, then, recite!You should next rub your head! wash, thereafter, your feet;"In the name of the Lord," the ablution's complete.No person knows better than I the good rule ;The village old man is a doting, old fool.This remark reached the ear of the old, village lord ;He was angry and said, " Oh thou sinner, abhorred!It was wrong to brush teeth, you said, during a fast ;Is eating dead men, then, a lawful repast?Of unspeakable words, first, your mouth you should scour!Then, wash it of things you're forbid to devour !"When, in talking, the name of a person you state,His name and his fame in the best way relate!If you say, "Men are asses," whenever you can,Do not think they will give you the name of a man!So speak of my character inside the street,That the words you can state to myself, when we meet.If you blush when you see the inspector appear,Oh thou, sightless ! is God, the Omniscient not here?No shame on account of yourself comes to thee ;For you're careless of God and ashamed before me.