These words of mine come from the Spirit supreme, To call to mind heaven’s everlasting grand scheme. Thou smellest a perfume of flowers. Flowers are not yet; Thou dreamest fermentation, though wine is not set. 360 That odour will draw thee to where the flowers grow,[238] The joys of sweet paradise, “where rivers flow.”[239] Of hope it perfume is that leads our souls on; As hope led forth Jacob in quest of his son.[240] Bad tidings and fearful cost Jacob his sight. Reunion, in hope, to him brought back the light. If thou’rt not a Joseph, a Jacob be yet. As he did, weep, mourn; joy, like him, thou shalt get. If thou art not Shīrīn, thou may’st Ferhād be;[241] And if not Laylà dear, Majnūn’s ravings see.[242] 365 Accept the advice of old Gazna’s sage, wise.[243] To thee, ever, new life from old life may rise: “To give one’s self airs, requires, first, a fair face; If beauty thou hast not, run not thou that race.” An ugly face ugly is, all the world round. A blind eye’s affliction, where’er it be found. In presence of Joseph, no coquetries use.[244] But humble thyself; soft entreaties infuse. The parrot had death simulated, as prayer. Do thou to pride die; thou mayest so live for e’er. 370 From Jesus a breath may, then, blow upon thee; Transform thee to what he was, what thou mayest be. A stone will not blossom because it is spring. As earth make thyself; flowers around thee may cling. For years thou a stone ’st been; lay this well to heart. Try patience a short time; ’twill give a fresh start. 373 VIII. The Harper. Hast heard, perchance, there was in days of good ‘Umer A minstrel talented, whose harpings moved the sphere? The nightingales all wept in transports at his voice, One pleasure made men’s hearts a hundredfold rejoice. His song enchanted every gathering where he went, Applause as thunder broke forth, to his heart’s content. Like voice of Isrāfīl, whose trump on judgment day,[245] Will wake the dead to life, his made the saddest gay. Dear friend to Isrāfīl he was, and mendicant; His notes made plumes to sprout on hide of elephant. 5 Some day will Isrāfīl attention pay to moans. Their souls he will recall to old and putrid bones. The prophets, likewise, all, musicians are on hearts. Disciples hence expire with joy by fits and starts. Our outward ears the strains hear not which thence proceed; Those ears, in many ways, degraded are indeed.