The prophets were compulsionists to this world’s string. Miscreants are compulsionists towards heaven’s King. 325 The prophets chose the better part, futurity; The foolish choose the worse, the world’s fatuity. Each bird will flock with birds of its own feather still; The cock well knows his mate, and follows where she will. Miscreants are the brood of hell, to which they go; The goods of worldly life they choose. Then be it so. The prophets are of race from heaven deriving birth; To heaven they tend with heart and soul while here on earth. ’Twould never end the branches of this theme to count. So let us sip again from our old story’s fount. 330 Within his cell ensconced, the Vazīr answer gave: “Disciples mine, my firm resolve from me receive. To me a very strict commandment Jesus spake: ‘From friends and kin of every class seclusion seek. Thy face set tow’rds a wall; sit in some cell apart, Forsake thyself; forgetfulness cast o’er thy heart.’ Permission’s thus denied with men to hold discourse. I’ve naught to say; with mortals more I’ll not converse. Good-bye, my friends! Adieu! You’ll never see me more, My journey’s unto heaven; there I’ve laid my store. 335 Th’ empyrean beneath, so long as I have strayed, Like firewood in a furnace have I wept; still prayed. Henceforward I shall sit on Jesu’s own right hand, In highest heaven enthroned, blest Paradise’s strand.” The legion-captains now he called to him apart; But one by one, in secret, counsels to impart. To ev’ry one he said: “Successor thee I name, The faith of Jesus to uphold and keep from shame. All other captains thy commands will have to hear; ’Tis Jesus thus appoints thee others’ loads to bear. 340 Should any one against thee neck rebellious raise, Him kill, imprison, or in exile end his days. But while I live divulge not what to thee I’ve told, Keep secret till my death this charge thou hast to hold. Let no one know till then ’tis thou art chosen out, Proclaim not thou thyself a king or prince devout. Behold this scroll; take, study it; thyself instruct, ’Tis Jesu’s doctrine pure; from this His Church construct.” Thus one by one their minds prepared were to be chief: “’Tis thou’rt the chosen one; all else would be a thief.” 345 He named them each successor; made them so to feel. Whate’er he told to one, to each did he reveal. He gave to each a volume, writ from end to end; No two alike; each different, and hard to blend.[112] Their doctrines various, of every changing hue; Diverse in sense, as objects’ forms exposed to view. Their precepts and commands a very maze of guile, Their sentiments impossible to reconcile.