Thus pleaded she; in coaxing, wheedling terms, with skill. Her tears rolled down in streams, fast coursing at her will. Her weeping and her sighs were past endurance felt, Whose features, tearless, e’en his heart of steel could melt. 175 That shower precursor was of lightning’s vivid gleam, Whose flash lit in his breast a fire, with pity’s beam. She, of whose beauty was a slave her husband still, A double spell exerted through entreaty’s thrill. One, whose least coolness sets man’s heart in flames, By turning supplicant a twofold witchery claims. If he, whose pride at times pain causes to thy mind, To supplication stoop, thou’lt small resistance find. He, whose fierce tyranny our bleeding hearts most grieves, By tendering excuses, us excuseless leaves. 180 “Is goodly made to man”[289] ’s a text from God’s own word; As truth made manifest, is by man ever heard. God, too, therein decreed: “that he with her may dwell;”[290] Whence Adam’s love for Eve survived lost Eden’s dell. A hero man may be, a Hercules to grieve, But slave to woman’s will is he, without reprieve. He, to whose words the universe has all bowed down,[291] Was he who sang: “Humayrā, speak to me!” Life’s crown![292] Of fire and water, fire is quelled through water’s wet; Still, water boils through fire, when in a cauldron set. 185 The cauldron, like a veil, those lovers keeps apart; And water’s influence no longer cools fire’s heart. To outward show, as water, thou mayst rule thy wife; In stern reality, thou cleavest to her,--thy life. This attribute, humanity must own its force: “Man quails to sensual love,” which springs from failing’s source. The Prophet hath declared that woman, over sage, Despotic power e’er wields, and over men of age; That fools the upper-hand o’er women still maintain, 190 Because they’re harsh, gross, senseless, careless to cause pain. No gentleness, no pity, faith, or ruth have they; In that a bestial nature o’er them holds its sway. Humanity ’tis claims, for self, love, charity; While lusts and rage are marks of bestiality. Fair woman is a ray from out the sun of Truth; Not loved? A creator; not created, forsooth.[293] The husband, now, contrition felt for what he’d said, As sinner, at death’s door, repents of evil deed. Thought he: “I have assailed the life of my life’s life; I’ve plagued and broke the heart of my dear darling wife!” 195 When God decrees an ill, man’s judgment falls asleep. And perspicacity knows not which way to leap. The doom of ill struck home, man straight feels deep regret; Propriety outraged, he turns to mourn and fret.