One rain there is that nourishment brings in its track; Another rain also that works a whole world’s wreck. The rain of spring does wonders in the garden’s fold; The rain of autumn chills like ague’s shivers cold. The spring rain nourishes whate’er it falls upon. Autumnal showers but bleach and shrivel; all turns wan. Thus is it with the cold, the wind, and eke the sun; They’re means from which such different phases seem to run. 140 In things invisible the same rule still holds good; Advantage, loss, annoyance, fraud, affliction’s flood. The words of saints are like the vernal breeze in power; They cause sweet flowers to open in man’s bosom bower. And like the rains of spring on herbage of the field, They raise in pious hearts a harvest of rich yield. If thou shouldst see a trunk that’s blighted, dead, and dry, Attribute not this state to quickening air’s supply. The air still quickens, though dead stumps feel not its power. ’Tis only what’s alive, that freshens by a shower. 145 The Prophet gave advice: “From breezes cool, in spring,[271] Your bodies cover not; they’re invigorating. Allow them, then, full play; they’ll give your sinews strength. See how, with them, the trees are clothed with leaves, at length. Beware, however; autumn’s chills ye must not court. They’re fatal to men’s lives; the trees they strip, in short.” Traditionists report the Prophet’s blessed words; But there they have stopped short; they add naught afterwards. The whole class, ignorant of application’s call, The mountain have discerned; its mines they have missed, all. 150 The autumn chill, with God, is fleshly lust and pride; The vernal breeze, the spirit, wisdom, sense to guide. Of wisdom, in thy head, a glimmering thou hast; Seek then for perfect wisdom; be to it steadfast. Thy partial stock from thence completed thou wilt bring. On neck of flesh completed wisdom put, as ring.[272] Thou seest now, applied, the breeze of spring is he, Who, perfect in himself, men perfect helps to be. From words of his take care thou close not up thy ear. Thy faith they will confirm; religion fruit will bear. 155 Reproachful, or in praise, hear all he has to say; From thee the fires of hell they’ll help to turn away. Reproaches, admonitions, life will bring at last If faith they but confirm, flesh in subjection cast. By admonition is the heart encouraged to good deeds; And by reproaches is the soul kept back from evil’s meeds. Upon the heart of teacher clings dark sorrow’s pall, If one twig from heart’s garden’s seen away to fall.