Chapter VII: Story of the Saint in Love

A certain one saw a most beautiful face ;A change in his state, from love's tumult, took place.Out as much perspiration the helpless one threw,As leaves in the spring season carry, of dew.Hippocrates, riding, passed by him and said:" What trouble has fallen on this person's head?"Some one answered, "This man is a pietist chaste,Who never before by a sin was disgraced ;Among deserts and mountains he walks day and night,From society flying and loathing men's sight.His heart has been borne by a charmer, away,And the foot of his vision has sunk in the clay.When the censure of people arrives at his ear,He weeps, saying, 'Cease for a little, to jeer !If I weep, do not say that excuseless I stand!—That my wailing has some wicked motive at hand—It is not the picture that robs me of mind;It is He steals my heart Who this picture designed."These remarks reached the ear of the veteran sage—In wisdom mature, showing culture and age—He replied, "Though the fame of well doing will spread,Ev'ry man does not credit whatever is said.To the painter himself that same portrait pertained,That ravished the heart of the man, crazy-brainedWhy did not an infant, whose age is one day,Allure him and carry his senses away?For in viewing the forms that created have been,Between child and adult, what distinction is seen?A philosopher looks on a camel, the sameAs on beauties of Chinese and Chigilan fame !"In this volume, a veil is my every line,Hanging down over cheeks, heart-alluring and fine.There are meanings that under the black letters crowd,Like beloved beauties veiled or the moon in a cloud.In the lifetime of Sadi no sadness he knows,Who, in rear of the veil, so much loveliness shows.In this banquet-illumining language of mine,Like fire is the light of the fervour divine.If my foes shake from envy, they anger me not!For by this " Persian fire" they become very hot.