The vulgar public is, as ’twere, one witless wight; Each star’s a clipping of the moon, in its fond sight. Not so great men of wisdom, radiant with troth, They shout with joy: “Good tidings! Spring breaks into growth!” Unless the flowers blossom on the fertile trees, How can the fruit be gathered, honey store the bees? The flowers blow and fade; the fruit begins to swell. So, when our bodies die, our souls in glory dwell. 690 The fruit’s reality; the flower is but a sign; The flower’s the harbinger; the fruit, the true design. The flower blown and past, the fruit then comes in sight; The first must perish ere the other can see light. Unless a loaf be broke, no nutriment it yields; Until the grapes are crushed, no cup of wine man wields. So drugs, to prove a solace to the sufferer’s ache, Together must be blended, rolled in one smooth cake. 694 X. Patience and Perseverance under a Teacher. Husāmu-’d-Dīn, Light of the Truth, take up, my friend, A sheet, that thou a Teacher’s virtues mayst append. True, thou’rt not strong; thy frame is delicate, at best; But thou’rt the sun that lights my thoughts to their safe nest. Thou art both lamp and lantern, all in one. Dost see? Guide to my heart’s behests, clue to my wish,--thou’rt he. Their thread is in thy hand; thy guidance can it shift; The pearls upon it strung are gems, thy soul’s free gift. Write down the qualities by which a Teacher’s known. Select thy Teacher first; then, follow all he’s shown. 5 A Teacher’s summer’s glow; cold winter, crowd terrene; The rabble’s darkness self; the Teacher, moon serene. Young Fortune have I named my Teacher, for the nonce;— Young Fortune, truth’s real Teacher; vigorous at once. An ancient Teacher he; commencement he ne’er had; A solitary pearl;--all peerless, never sad. Increase of age gives wine fresh strength, as well is known; Especially truth’s wine, that flows from God’s high throne. Select a Teacher, then. Without such, travel’s vain; The way is dangerous,--beset with evil’s train. 10 By well-known road, though travelled many times before, Without a guide to venture, opens peril’s door. How then an unknown path thou ne’er hast followed yet? Go not alone, without a guide;--act not in fret. Unless thy Teacher be at hand to lead thee right, The clamours of the demons surely thee’ll affright. Those demons will mislead thee, into danger cast; More clever ones than thou have lost their wits at last.