Some men of sense discernment used, his ways to scan, His honied phrases smacked to them of knavish plan. Refined truisms, double-meaning, he’d deal out, Like syrup into which some mortal poison’s put. Be thou not caught with knavery’s fairly-spoken word; A hidden meaning it may have. Be on thy guard. Of evil-minded men the speech is never good; Their hearts are dead and putrid; life cannot there brood. 130 A man’s an offset from a man, by nature’s law, As sure as cake of bread is bread, and not mere straw. God’s Lion,[99] ‘Ali, saith: “All words in folly made, As weeds on dunghills, crowd apace; as quickly fade.”[100] He who would rashly, thoughtlessly, repose thereon, Begrimed will be, befouled, befooled, and spat upon. He that gives vent to wind, mere wind, is bound to wash; His worship else is vain; pollution doth it quash.[101] The Vazīr’s talk was all: “Be diligent in pray’r.” His acts proclaimed aloud: “Of duty never care.” 135 In surface silver’s white and glittering to the eye; With friction, hands and purse it soils, though e’er so dry. A fire is jocund to the view; its flame may please. But venture not too near it; black is its surcease. The lightning flashes brightly, shining as it flies; But oft, alas, it strikes man blind, or dead he lies. Be wise betimes; for “he that’s void of common sense, Is like the ox with yoke on neck.” So ‘Alī,--Hence! For six years was the Vazīr absent from the king; Disciple seemed of Jesu’s faith; bad news to bring. 140 Their hearts and faith the people all pinned on to him; At his command they every one would change each whim. His purpose all the time was fraud and gross deceit; He pondered naught but wiles, to compass their defeat. By secret message, with the king he held converse. The king to him fair gratulations sent, diverse. A missive came to him at length: “My faithful son, ’Tis time my heart was set at rest. What hast thou done?” His answer was: “The thing’s prepared; have patience yet; The Christian folk to puzzle soon, we’ll not forget.” 145 The Christians portioned were, for purposes of war, In legions twelve; to each, a captain void of fear. The men of every legion to their captain bound By ties of trust and confidence, in each heart found. These legions and those captains twelve, to that bad man Had yielded up their every thought;--as mankind can. Should he command to die, not one of them would fail To give his life right joyfully,--without one wail.