[62] It is related that an ignorant Kurd came to some students and besought them to instruct him in the mysteries of Súfism. They told him that he must fasten a rope to the roof of his house, then tie the loose end to his feet and suspend himself, head downwards; and that he must remain in this posture as long as possible, reciting continually some words of gibberish which they taught him. The poor man did not perceive that he was being mocked. He followed their instructions and passed the whole night repeating the words given him. God rewarded his faith and sincerity by granting him illumination, so that he became a saint and could discourse learnedly on the most abstruse matters of mystical theology. Afterwards he used to say, “In the evening I was a Kurd, but the next morning I was an Arab.” IX _Showing that the education of the Self has three stages: Obedience, Self-control, and Divine Vicegerency._ 1. OBEDIENCE Service and toil are traits of the camel, 815 Patience and perseverance are ways of the camel. Noiselessly he steps along the sandy track, He is the ship of those who voyage in the desert. Every thicket knows the print of his foot: He eats seldom, sleeps little, and is inured to toil. 820 He carries rider, baggage, and litter; He trots on and on to the journey’s end, Rejoicing in his speed, More patient in travel than his rider. Thou, too, do not refuse the burden of Duty: 825 So wilt thou enjoy the best dwelling-place, which is with God. Endeavour to obey, O heedless one! Liberty is the fruit of compulsion. By obedience the man of no worth is made worthy; By disobedience his fire is turned to ashes. 830 Whoso would master the sun and stars, Let him make himself a prisoner of Law! The wind is enthralled by the fragrant rose; The perfume is confined in the navel of the musk-deer. The star moves towards its goal 835 With head bowed in surrender to a law. The grass springs up in obedience to the law of growth: When it abandons that, it is trodden underfoot. To burn unceasingly is the law of the tulip, And so the blood leaps in its veins. 840 Drops of water become a sea by the law of union, And grains of sand become a Sahara. Since Law makes everything strong within, Why dost thou neglect this source of strength? O thou that art emancipated from the old Custom,[63] 845 Adorn thy feet once more with the same fine silver chain! Do not complain of the hardness of the Law, Do not transgress the statutes of Mohammed! 2. SELF-CONTROL