Chapter VIII: On Praising God for the Creation of Mankind

To the number of joints in a finger, give thought !Which with Euclid's precision together He brought."Twould therefore be folly and madness in one,A finger to place on a work He has done.On the gait of a man, let your thoughts be profound!How together some bones He has jointed and bound !Without moving the ankle, the knee and the toe,A step from the spot one's unable to go !A man without trouble can make himself prone,For his back is not fashioned from one piece of bone.He has two hundred bones on each other so laid,That a tall, clayey structure, like you, He has made!The veins of your body, oh you, of sweet looks!Form a mead with three hundred and sixty rich brooks.In the head are established reflection and sight;There, too, are discretion and thinking aright.The body is dear, on account of the mind;And the mind, too, for knowledge most precious you find.The brutes, being mean, have a down-hanging face ;You're erect on your feet like an " Alif" in grace.He has placed their mouths downwards, to help them to feed ;The food to your mouth, you with dignity lead.It does not look well, when such pref'rence is shown,That you bow your head down save to worship alone.And yet with this form, that can pleasure inspire,Be not of dazzled ! a good disposition acquire !You require the straight road, not a stature that's straight;For the scoffer is like us in figure and gait.Do not seek to contend against Him, if you're wise,Who gave you your ears and your mouth and your eyes!I admit you don't batter your foe with a stone ;Do not fight with the Friend, out of rudeness alone!Those of wise disposition who gratitude know,Their wealth with the needle of thanksgiving sew.