By thousands are confessing Muslims, men of mark, By doubt most sadly haunted; faith they’ve not, one spark. 230 Conformity with them is founded on surmise, And all their heart and conscience quieted with lies. ’Tis Satan sows the seed of doubting in their breast, Like blind men they will fall into the pit at last. Mere reasoners are cripples, propped on wooden leg; And, like such cripple, often falling as they beg. How different’s a pillar of our holy creed! As mountain he is steadfast; faith his living meed. A blind man’s leg’s his staff; upon it he must lean, Or he will risk to fall at full length on the green. 235 A knight is he who sole has routed hosts of foes; Wise leader then becomes of liegemen’s ranks through woes. Those blind men find their way by trusting to a staff. They lean upon a creature; their sight is in a gaff. For, otherwise, they’d be far-seeing; they’d be kings; As ’tis, they’re blind, they’re corpses,--lifeless, senseless things. The blind can never sow, and surely never reap; They cannot edify; their talent they must keep. If ’twere not for God’s mercy, favour, and free grace, Their staff of reason ’d snap; they ’d fall prone on their face. 240 That staff’s a weapon made for quarrelling and fight; Then break it up in pieces, man of feeble sight! That staff was given thee, to help thee on thy way; With it men’s faces strikest thou, angry, ev’ry day. What’s this you’re doing, blind ones? What are you about? Some constables call in, to calm this frightful rout. Fall down, and Him entreat, who furnished you with staff. Look well, and see what signs your weapon may engraff. Consider Moses’ miracle; reflect on Ahmed’s too. One’s staff became a serpent; one’s post chose what is true. 245 From that staff came a serpent; from this post, loud moan. Five times a day for praise we hear the crier’s tone. This trouble otherwise had been a senseless suit; So many miracles, so very little fruit. What’s reas’nable the mind can easily allow, No need’s there then for miracle, for tide to ebb and flow. The plan of miracles unreasonable count; But know it is accepted; faith it does not daunt.