Learn from the Prophet’s words the error of their ways;
How Satan led them far astray in bygone days. 15
From off the track to all that’s good he them misled;
Them carried off; them rendered blind, by vain thoughts fed.
Behold their bones, their skeletons, along the road!
Take warning thence. Drive not thy beast with maddening goad!
Dismount; and to the rightful path safe lead him back,
Where guides abound,--experienced travellers dot the track.
Leave not thy beast; his rein loose not thou from thy hand.
His inclination is to wander o’er the land.
One moment only leave him carelessly to roam;
Towards the pastures he at once will rush, all foam. 20
Thy beast is not a friend to travelling by the road.
How many muleteers through this have lost a load!
Know’st not the way? Observe which path thy beast would take,
And follow the reverse. Secure this will thee make.
“Consult thou them;”[324] but then, do not what they advise;
For he who them opposes not, to ruin hies.
Lend not thyself to lust and fancy’s every wind;
For these are what lead men astray; to God’s truth blind.
There’s nothing in the world that better curbs the lusts,
Than holy company. Protected, he who trusts. 25
The Prophet said to ‘Ali: “Cousin, list to me.
The ‘Lion of the Truth’[325] art thou; a hero. See!
Trust not too much, however, to thy courage, sole;
Confide, much rather, on God’s arm to keep thee whole.
Put faith in aid from His divine, omniscient mind,
That never can be baffled by disputant blind.
His shadow on the earth is what keeps it in place;
His spirit, sunbird-like, soars in supernal space.
Were I to speak His praises until judgment day,
No end, no interruption, would admit my say. 30
Himself He’s veiled in man, as sun behind a cloud.
This seek to comprehend. God knows what mysteries shroud.
The sun He is;--the sun of spirit, not of sky;
By light from Him man lives;--and angels eke, forby.
Then, ‘Ali, of all service man can offer here,
Do thou choose trust in God, dependence firm, sincere.
Each man betakes himself some special worship to;
And each some special friend selects, without ado.
Do thou take refuge in God’s wisdom, full, divine;
He’ll foil the secret foe that would thee undermine. 35
Of all the modes of worship, this choose thou, the best;
Thou’lt distance all competitors, the prize thou’lt wrest.
Thy Teacher having chosen thus, obedience yield,
Implicit; even as Moses journeying o’er that field.[326]
Whate’er events betide, beware, and question not;
For fear thy guide should turn, and drive thee from the spot.[327]
Should He destroy a ship,[328]--no murmur from thy mouth;
Should He an infant choke,[329]--let slip no word uncouth.