conference of the birds-faridudin attar

8/12/2019 Conference of the Birds-faridudin Attar

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His 0ion lord2 and 'an had his, at least2"nd that the Birds, who nearest were the S)ies,"nd went a##arell*d in its "ngel D%es/Sho!ld e witho!t3!nder no etter 0awThan that which lost all other in the 'aw3

Dis#erst witho!t a Bond of 4nion3na%,Or meeting to ma)e each the other*s re%3 This was the 5rievance3this the solemn Thing 6.On which the scatter*d Commonwealth of &ing,(rom all the fo!r &inds, fl%ing li)e to Clo!dThat met and lac)en*d Heav*n, and Th!nder lo!d&ith So!nd of whirring &ings and Bea)s that clash*dDown li)e a Torrent on the Desert dash*d2Till % Degrees, the H! ! and ell mellInto some Order and recedence fell,"nd, roclamation made of Silence, eachIn s#ecial "ccent, !t in general S#eechThat all sho!ld !nderstand, as seem*d him est, 7.The Congregation of all &ings addrest/

"nd first, with Heart so f!ll as from his E%esRan wee#ing, !# rose Ta8idar the &ise$The m%stic 'ar) !#on whose Bosom show*dThat He alone of all the Birds THE RO"DHad travell*d2 and the Crown !#on his HeadHad reach*d the 5oal$ and He stood forth and said2

*O Birds, % what "!thorit% divineI s#ea) %o! )now % His a!thentic Sign,"nd Name, em la9on*d on m% Breast and Bill2 :.&hose Co!nsel I assist at, and f!lfil2"t His Behest I meas!red as he #lann*dThe S#aces of the "ir and Sea and 0and$I ga!ged the secret so!rces of the S#rings(rom Clo!d to (ish2 the Shadow of m% &ingsDream*d over slee#ing Del!ge2 #ilotedThe Blast that ore S!la%man*s Throne2 and led

The Clo!d of Birds that cano#ied his Head$&hose &ord I ro!ght to Bal)is2 and I sharedThe Co!nsel that with "saf he #re#ared/ ;."nd now %o! want a -halif2 and I )nowHim, and his wherea o!t, and How to go2"nd go alone I co!ld, and #lead %o!r ca!se"lone for all2 !t, % the eternal laws,


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Th!s s#o)e the Ta8idar2 and the wing*d Crowd,That !nderneath his &ord in Silence ow*d, 11.Cla##*d "cclamation2 and their Hearts and E%es&ere )indled % the (ire rand of the &ise/The% felt their Degradation2 the% elieved

The word that told them how to e retrieved,"nd in that glorio!s Cons!mmation won(orgot the Cost at which it m!st e done/*The% onl%long'd to follow2 the% wo!ld go&hither he led, thro!gh (lood, or (ire, or Snow*3 So cried the '!ltit!de/ B!t some there were&ho listen*d with a cold disdainf!l air, 16.Content with what the% were, or gr!dging CostOf Time or Travel that might all e lost$These, one % one, came forward, and #referr*d4nwise O 8ection2 which the wiser &ordShot with direct Re#roof, or s! tl% ro!nd&ith "rg!ment and "llegor% wo!nd/

The Pheasant first wo!ld )now % what #retenceThe Ta8idar to that #re eminence&as raised3a Bird, !t for his loft% Crest

"nd s!ch the heasant had li)e all the Rest3 17.&ho answer*d3*B% no Firt!e of m% ownS!la%man chose me, !t % His alone2

Not % the 5old and Silver of m% Sighs'ade mine, !t the free 0argess of his E%es/Behold the 5race of "llah comes and goes"s to Itself is good2 and no one )nows&hich wa% it t!rns2 in that m%sterio!s Co!rt

Not he most finds who f!rthest travels for*t/(or one ma% crawl !#on his )nees 0ife long,"nd %et ma% never reach, or all go wrong2 1:."nother 8!st arriving at the laceHe toil*d for, and3the Door sh!t in his (ace2&hereas "nother, scarcel% gone a Stride,"nd s!ddenl%3Behold he is InsideG3

B!t tho!gh the R!nner win not, he that stands , No Thorn will t!rn to Roses in his Hands2Each one m!st do his est and all end!re,"nd all endeavo!r, ho#ing !t not s!re/Heav*n its own 4m#ire is$ its Bidding do,"nd Tho! #erchance shalt e S!la%man*s too/* 1;.

One da% Shah 'ahm!d, riding with the &ind" h!nting, left his Retin!e ehind,"nd coming to a River, whose swift Co!rseDo! led ac) 5ame and Dog, and 'an and Horse,

Beheld !#on the Shore a little 0ad" fishing, ver% #oor, and Tatter clad


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He was, and wee#ing as his Heart wo!ld rea)/So the 5reat S!ltan, for good h!mo!r*s sa)e

!ll*d in his Horse a moment, and drew nigh,"nd after ma)ing his Salam, as)*d wh% 1?.He we#t3wee#ing, the S!ltan said, so sore

"s he had never seen one wee# efore/The Bo% loo)*d !#, and *O "mir,* he said,*Sev*n of !s are at home, and (ather dead,"nd 'other left with scarce a Bit of Bread2"nd now since S!nrise have I fish*d3and seeGCa!ght nothing for o!r S!##er3&oe is 'eG*The S!ltan lighted from his horse/ *Behold,*Said he, *5ood (ort!ne will not e controll*d2"nd, since Toda% %o!rs seems to t!rn from %o!, [email protected]!##ose we tr% for once what mine will do,"nd we will share ali)e in all I win/*So the Shah too), and fl!ng his (ort!ne in,The Net$ which, cast % the 5reat 'ahm!d*s Hand," h!ndred glittering (ishes ro!ght to 0and/The 0ad loo)*d !# in &onder3'ahm!d smiled"nd va!lted into Saddle/ B!t the ChildRan after3*Na%, "mir, !t half the Ha!lIs %o!rs % Bargain*3*Na%, Toda% ta)e all,*The S!ltan cried, and shoo) his Bridle free3 1 .*B!t mind3Tomorrow "ll elongs to 'e3*"nd so rode off/ Ne>t morning at DivanThe S!ltan*s 'ind !#on his Bargain ran,"nd eing somewhat in a mind for s#ortSent for the 0ad2 who, carried !# to Co!rt,"nd marching into Ro%alt%*s f!ll Bla9e&ith s!ch a Catch of (ish as %esterda%*s,The S!ltan call*d and set him % his side,"nd as)ing him, *&hat 0!c) * The Bo% re#lied,*This is the 0!c) that follows ever% Cast, 1 .Since o*er m% Net the S!ltan*s Shadow #ass*d/*

Then came The Nightingale , from s!ch a Dra!ght

Of Ecstas% that from the Rose he =!aff*dReeling as dr!n), and ever did distilIn e>=!isite divisions from his BillTo inflame the Hearts of 'en3and th!s sang He3 *To me alone, alone, is giv*n the -e%Of 0ove$ of whose whole '%ster% #ossesst,&hen I reveal a little to the Rest,(orthwith Creation listening forsa)es 6..The Reins of Reason, and m% (ren9% ta)es2


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I hang the Stars with 'eshes for 'en*s So!ls2The 5arden !nderneath m% '!sic rolls/The long, long 'orns that mo!rn the Rose awa%I sit in silence, and on "ng!ish #re%2B!t the first "ir which the New


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" Collar ran of s! s!l#h!reo!s 5old$"nd in his Bea) a S!gar #l!m he troll*d,That all his &ords with l!scio!s 0is#ing ran,"nd to this T!ne3*O cr!el Cage, and 'an'ore iron still who did confine me there,

&ho else with him whose 0iver% I wear Ere this to his Eternal (o!nt had een,"nd dr!n) what sho!ld have )e#t me ever green/B!t now I )now the lace, and I am free 6?.To go, and all the &ise will follow 'e/Some*3and !#on the Nightingale one E%eHe leer*d3*for nothing !t the Blossom sigh2B!t I am for the l!scio!s !l# that grows&here, and for which the Blossom onl% lows2"nd which so long as the 5reen Tree #rovides&hat etter grows along -af*s drear% Sides"nd what more needf!l ro#het there than He&ho gives me 0ife to ni# it from the Tree *

To whom the Ta8idar3*O tho! whose Best [email protected] the green leaf of aradise is drest,B!t whose Nec) )indles with a lower (ire3 O sli# the collar off of ase Desire,"nd stand a##arell*d in Heav*n*s &oof entireGThis 0ife that hangs so sweet a o!t %o!r 0i#sB!t, s#ite of all %o!r -hi9ar, sli#s and sli#s,&hat is it !t itself the coarser RindOf the Tr!e 0ife withinside and ehind,&hich he shall never never reach !ntoTill the gross Shell of Carcase he rea) thro!gh * 6 .

(or what said He, that d%ing Hermit, whom


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In Eden, when "c=!aintance I did ma)eIn those lest da%s with that Sev*n headed Sna)e, 7.."nd thence with him, m% #erfect Bea!t% marr*d&ith these ill (eet, was thr!st o!t and de arr*d/0ittle I care for &orldl% (r!it or (lower,

&o!ld %o! restore me to lost Eden*s Bower,B!t first m% Bea!t% ma)ing all com#lete&ith re#aration of these !gl% (eet/*

*&ere it,* *twas answer*d, *onl% to ret!rnTo that lost Eden, etter far to !rnIn Self a asement !# th% #l!mJd ride,"nd ev*n with lamer feet to cree# inside3 71.B!t all mista)en %o! and all li)e %o!That long for that lost Eden as the tr!e$(air as it was, still nothing !t the shade"nd O!t co!rt of the 'a8est% that made/That which I #oint %o! tow*rd, and which the -ingI tell %o! of roods over with his &ing,&ith no decid!o!s leaf, !t with the RoseOf S#irit!al Bea!t%, smells and glows2

No #lot of Earthl% leasance, !t the wholeTr!e 5arden of the 4niversal So!l/* 76.

(or so Creation*s 'aster ewel fell(rom that same Eden2 loving which too well,The &or) efore the "rtist did #refer,"nd in the 5arden lost the 5ardener/&herefore one Da% a o!t the 5arden went" voice that fo!nd him in his false Content,"nd li)e a itter Sarsar of the NorthShrivell*d the 5arden !#, and drove him forthInto the &ilderness2 and so the E%eOf Eden closed on him till % and %/ 77.

Then from a R!in where conceal*d he la%&atching his !ried 5old, and hating Da%,

Hooted The Owl /3*I tell %o!, m% DelightIs in the R!in and the Dead of Night&here I was orn, and where I love to wone"ll m% 0ife long, sitting on some cold stone"wa% from all %o!r ro%stering Com#anies,In some dar) Corner where a Treas!re lies$That, !ried % some 'iser in the Dar),S#ea)s !# to me at 'idnight li)e a S#ar)$ 7:."nd o*er it li)e a Talisman I rood,Com#anion of the Ser#ent and the Toad/&hat need of other Sovereign, having fo!nd,

"nd )ee#ing as in rison !ndergro!nd,


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One efore whom all other -ings ow down,"nd with his glittering Heel their (oreheads crown *

*He that a 'iser lives and 'iser dies,"t the 0ast Da% what (ig!re shall he rise *

" (ellow all his life lived hoarding 5old,"nd, d%ing, hoarded left it/ "nd ehold, 7;.One Night his Son saw #eering thro!gh the Ho!se" 'an, with %et the sem lance of a 'o!se,&atching a crevice in the &all3and cried*'% (ather *3**d the (o!ntain that s!##lied,


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ra%ing that after him no Son of Cla% 7 .Sho!ld ever to!ch his 5lor%/ "nd one Da%"lmight% 5od his ewel stole awa%,"nd gave it to the Div, who with the Ring&ore also the Resem lance of the -ing,

"nd so for fort% da%s #la%*d s!ch a 5ame"s lots S!la%man*s fort% %ears with Shame/

Then The Shah-Falcon , tossing !# his HeadBlin) hooded as it was3*Behold,* he said,*I am the chosen Comrade of the -ing,"nd #erch !#on the (ist that wears the Ring$ :..Born, red, and no!risht, in the Ro%al Co!rt,I ta)e the Ro%al Name and ma)e the S#ort/"nd if strict Disci#line I !ndergo"nd half m% 0ife am linded3 e it so$Beca!se the Shah*s Com#anion ill ma% roo) On a!ght save Ro%al Com#an% to loo)/"nd wh% am Ito leave m% -ing, and fare&ith all these Ra le &ings I )now not where *3

*O lind indeed*3the "nswer was, *and dar) To an% !t a v!lgar 'ortal 'ar), :1."nd dr!n) with ride of Fassalage to those&hose H!mo!r li)e their -ingdom comes and goes$"ll '!ta ilit%2 who one Da% #leaseTo give2 and ne>t Da% what the% gave not sei9e20i)e to the (ire2 a dangero!s (riend at est,&hich who )ee#s farthest from does wiseliest/

" certain Shah there was in Da%s foregone&ho had a lovel% Slave he doted on,"nd cherish*d as the "##le of his E%e,Clad glorio!sl%, fed s!m#t!o!sl%, set high, :6."nd never was at Ease were He not %,&ho %et, for all this S!nshine, Da% % Da%&as seen to wither li)e a (lower awa%/

&hich, when o serving, one witho!t the FeilOf (avo!r as)*d the (avo!rite3*&h% so #ale"nd sad * th!s sadl% answer*d the #oor Thing3 *No S!n that rises sets !ntil the -ing,&hose "rcher% is famo!s among 'en,"ims at an "##le on m% Head/ and whenThe stric)en "##le s#lits/ and those who stand :7."ro!nd cr% A0oG the Shah*s !nerring HandGAThen He too la!ghing as)s me A&h% so #ale"nd sorrow some as co!ld the S!ltan fail,&ho s!ch a master of the Bow confest,

"nd aiming % the Head that he loves est/A*


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Then on a s!dden swoo#*d The Phoenix down"s tho!gh he wore as well as gave The Crown2"nd cried3*I care not, I, to wait on -ings,&hose crowns are !t the Shadow of m% &ingsG*

*"%e,* was the "nswer3*"nd, #ra%, how has s#ed, ::.On which it lighted, man% a mortal Head *

" certain S!ltan d%ing, his Fi9ier In Dream eheld him, and in mortal (ear Began3*O might% Shah of ShahsG Thrice lest*3 B!t lo!d the Fision shrie)*d and str!c) its Breast,"nd *Sta me not with em#t% TitleG* cried3 *One onl% Shah there is, and none eside,&ho from his Throne a ove for certain Ends"while some S#angle of his 5lor% lendsTo 'en on Earth$ !t calling in again :;.E>acts a strict acco!nt of ever% 5rain/S!ltan I lived, and held the &orld in scorn2O etter had I glean*d the (ield of CornGO etter had I een a Beggar orn,"nd for m% Throne and Crown, down in the D!st'% living Head had laid where Dead I m!stGO wither*d, wither*d, wither*d, e the &ing&hose overcasting Shadow made me -ingG*

Then from a ond, where all da% long he )e#t,&addled the da##er Duck dem!re, ade#t :?."t infinite " l!tion, and #reciseIn )ee#ing of his Raiment clean and nice/"nd *S!re of all the Race of Birds,* said He,*None for Religio!s !rit% li)e 'e,Be%ond what strictest Rit!als #rescri e3 'ethin)s I am the Saint of all o!r Tri e,To whom, % 'iracle, the &ater, thatI wash in, also ma)es m% ra%ing 'at/*

To whom, more angril% than all, re#liedThe 0eader, lashing that religio!s ride, :@.That !nder rit!al O edienceTo o!ter 0aw with inner might dis#ense2(or, fair as all the (eather to e seen,Co!ld one see through , the 'aw was not so clean2B!t He that made oth 'aw and (eather too&o!ld ta)e acco!nt of, seeing thro!gh and thro!gh/

" Shah ret!rning to his Ca#ital,His s! 8ects drest it forth in (estival,

Thronging with "cclamation S=!are and Street,"nd )neeling fl!ng efore his Horse*s feet : .


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ewel and 5old/ "ll which with scarce an E%eThe S!ltan s!#ercilio!sl% rode %2Till coming to the #! lic rison, The%&ho dwelt within those grisl% &alls, % wa%Of &elcome, having neither earl nor 5old,

Over the wall cho#t Head and Carcase roll*d,Some almost #archt to '!mm% with the S!n,Some wet with E>ec!tion that da% done/"t which grim Com#liment at last the ShahDrew Bridle2 and amid a wild H!rrah : .Of savage Recognition, smiling threwSilver and 5old among the wretched Crew,"nd so rode forward/ &hereat of his TrainOne wondering that, while others s!ed in vain&ith costl% gifts, which carelessl% he #ass*d,B!t smiled at ghastl% &elcome li)e the last$The Shah made answer3*"ll that earl and 5oldOf ostentatio!s &elcome onl% told2" little with great Clamo!r from the StoreOf h%#ocrites who )e#t at home m!ch more/ ;..B!t when those sever*d Heads and Tr!n)s I saw3 Save % strict E>ec!tion of m% 0awThe% had not #arted com#an%$ not oneB!t told m% &ill not tal)*d a o!t, !t done/*

Then from a &ood was heard !nseen to cooThe ing-do!e 3*


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His darling in some alien (ield he sawBinding the Sheaf$ and what etween the "weOf 5od*s Dis#leas!re and the itter ass ;7.Of #assionate "ffection, sigh*d *"las3*"nd sto##*d3B!t with the morning Sword of (lame

That o#ed his E%es the sterner "ngel*s came*(or the for idden &ord not !tter*d %Th% 0i#s was %et se=!ester*d in that Sigh/*"nd the right assion whose E>cess was wrongBlinded the aged E%es that we#t too long/

"nd after these came others3arg!ing,En=!iring and e>c!sing3some one Thing,"nd some another3endless to re#eat, ;:.B!t, in the 'ain, Sloth, (oll%, or Deceit/Their So!ls were to the v!lgar (ig!re castOf earthl% Fict!al not of Heavenl% (ast/"t last one smaller Bird, of a rare )ind,Of modest l!me and !n#res!m#t!o!s 'ind,&his#er*d *O Ta8idar, we )now indeedHow Tho! oth )nowest, and wo!ld*st hel# o!r Need$(or tho! art wise and hol%, and hast eenBehind the Feil, and there The resence seen/B!t we are wea) and vain, with little care ;;.Be%ond o!r %earl% Nests and dail% (are3 How sho!ld we reach the 'o!ntain and if thereHow get so great a rince to hear o!r ra%er(or there, %o! sa%, dwells The Symurgh aloneIn 5lor%, li)e S!la%man on his Throne,"nd we !t ismires at his feet2 can HeS!ch #!n% Creat!res stoo# to hear, or see$Or hearing, seeing, own !s3!na)in"s He to (oll%, &oe, and Death, and Sin *3

To whom the Ta8idar, whose Foice for those ;?.Bewilder*d ones to f!ll Com#assion rose*O lost so long in e>ile, %o! disclaim

The ver% (o!nt of Being whence %o! came,Cannot e #arted from, and, will or no,&hether for 5ood or Evil m!st re flowG(or loo)3the Shadows into which the 0ightOf his #!re Essence down % infinite5radation dwindles, which at random #la%Thro!gh S#ace in Sha#e indefinite3one Ra%Of his Creative Will into de#ined ;@.Creation =!ic)ens2 &e that swim the &ind,"nd the% the (lood elow, and 'an and BeastThat wal) etween, from 0ion to the least

ismire that cree#s along S!la%man*s &all3


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However near the (o!ntain 0ight, or far Removed, %et His a!thentic Shadows are$Dead 'atter*s Self !t the dar) Resid!eE>terminating 5lor% dwindles to/" '%ster% too fearf!l in the Crowd ; .

To !tter3scarcel% to Th%self alo!d3 B!t when in solitar% &atch and ra%er Consider*d2 and religio!sl% eware0est Tho! the Co#% with the T%#e confo!nd$"nd Deity , with Deit% indrown*d,3 (or as #!re &ater into #!rer &ineIncor#orating shall itself reline&hile the d!ll Dr!g lies half resolved elow,&ith Him and with his Shadows is it so2The aser (orms, to whatsoever Change ; .S! 8ect, still var% thro!gh their lower Range2To which the higher even shall deca%,That, letting oo9e their etter art awa%(or Things of Sense and 'atter, in the EndShall merge into the Cla% to which the% tend/4nli)e to him, who straining thro!gh the BondOf o!tward Being for a 0ife e%ond,&hile the gross &orldling to his Centre clings,That draws him dee#er in, e>!lting s#ringsTo merge him in the central Soul of Things/ ?.."nd shall not he #ass home with other Lest&ho, with f!ll -nowledge, %earns for s!ch a Rest,Than he, who with his etter self at strife,Drags on the wear% E>ile call*d This 0ife 3 One, li)e a child with o!tstretcht "rms and (ace4#t!rn*d, antici#ates his Sire*s Em race$The other cro!ching li)e a g!ilt% SlaveTill flogg*d to !nishment across the 5rave/"nd, )nowing that His glor% ill can ear The !n#!rged E%e$ do tho! Th% Breast #re#are2 ?1."nd the m%sterio!s 'irror He set there,To tem#er his reflected Image in,

Clear of Distortion, Do! leness, and Sin2"nd in th% Conscience !nderstanding this ,The Dou$le onl% seems, !t The One is ,Thysel# to Self annihilation giveThat this false Two in that tr!e One ma% live/(or this I sa%2 if, loo)ing in th% Heart,Tho! for Sel#-whole mista)e th% Shadow-%art ,That Shadow #art indeed into The S!n ?6.Shall melt, !t senseless of its 4nion2B!t in that 'irror if with #!rged e%esTh% Shadow Tho! #or Shadow recognise,

Then shalt Tho! ac) into th% Centre fall" conscio!s Ra% of that eternal &ll /*


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He ceased, and for awhile "ma9ement =!ell*dThe Host, and in the Chain of Silence held2" '%ster% so awf!l who wo!ld dare3 So glorio!s who wo!ld not wish3to shareSo Silence rooded on the feather*d (ol), ?7.

Till here and there a timid '!rm!r ro)e(rom some too #oor in honest Confidence,"nd then from others of too m!ch retence$&hom oth, as each !nd!l% ho#ed or fear*d,The Ta8idar in answer chec)*d or cheer*d/

Some said their Hearts were good indeed to goThe &a% he #ointed o!t2 !t the% were slowOf Com#rehension, and scarce !nderstoodTheir #resent Evil or the #romised 5ood2"nd so, tho* willing to do all the% co!ld, ?:.'!st not the% fall short, or go wholl% wrong,On s!ch m%sterio!s Errand, and so long&hom the wise 0eader id !t Do their BestIn Ho#e and (aith, and leave to Him the rest,(or He who fi>*d the Race, and )new its 0ength"nd Danger, also )new the R!nner*s Strength/

Shah 'ahm!d, a sent on an Enter#rise,"%as, the ver% Darling of his e%es,"t home !nder an Evil E%e fell sic),Then cried the S!ltan to a soldier *+!ic)G ?;.To HorseG to HorseG witho!t a 'oment*s Sta%,3 The shortest Road with all the S#eed %o! ma%,3 Or, % the 0ord, %o!r Head shall #a% for itG*3 Off went the Soldier, #l%ing S#!r and Bit3 Over the sand% Desert, over greenFalle%, and 'o!ntain, and the Stream etween,&itho!t a 'oment*s Sto# for rest or ait,4# to the Cit%3to the alace 5ate3 4# to the resence Cham er at a Stride3 "nd 0oG The S!ltan at his Darling*s sideG3 ??.

Then tho!ght the Soldier3*I have done m% Best,"nd %et shall die for it/* The S!ltan g!ess*dHis Tho!ght and smiled/ *Indeed %o!r Best %o! did,The nearest Road %o! )new, and well %o! rid2"nd if )new a shorter, m% E>cessOf -nowledge does !t 8!stif% th% 0ess/*

"nd then, with droo#ing Crest and (eather, cameOthers, ow*d down with enitence and Shame/The% long*d indeed to go$ * !t how egin,'esh*d and entangled as the% were in Sin ?@.

&hich often times Re#entance of #ast &rong"s often ro)en had !t )nit more strong *


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&hom the wise 0eader id e of good cheer,"nd, conscio!s of the (a!lt, dismiss the (ear,

Nor at the ver% Entrance of the (ra%Their &ea#on, ev*n if ro)en, fling awa%2Since 'erc% on the ro)en Branch anew

&o!ld lossom were !t each Re#entance tr!e/

(or did not 5od his ro#het ta)e to Tas)*Sev*n times of Thee did -ar!n ardon as)$ ? .&hich, hadst tho! een li)e 'e his 'a)er3%ea,B!t #resent at the -neading of his Cla%&ith those twain Elements of Hell and Heav*n,3 One #ra%er had won what Tho! den%*st to Sev*n/*

(or li)e a Child sent with a fl!ttering 0ightTo feel his wa% along a g!st% Night'an wal)s the &orld2 again and %et againThe 0am# shall e % (its of assion slain2B!t shall not He who sent him from the Door Relight the 0am# once more, and %et once more ? .

&hen the re ellio!s Host from Death shall wa)eBlac) with Des#air of !dgment, 5od shall ta)e"ges of hol% 'erit from the Co!ntOf "ngels to ma)e !# 'an*s short "mo!nt,"nd id the m!rm!ring "ngel gladl% s#areOf that which, !ndiminishing his Share,Of Bliss, shall resc!e Tho!sands from the CostOf Ban)r!#tc% within the rison lost/

"nother Stor% told how in the Scale5ood &ill e%ond mere -nowledge wo!ld #revail/ @..

In aradise the "ngel 5a riel heardThe 0i#s of "llah trem ling with the &ordOf #erfect "cce#tation2 and he tho!ght*Some #erfect (aith s!ch #erfect "nswer wro!ght,

B!t whose *3"nd therewith sli##ing from the Cr%#tOf Sidra, thro!gh the "ngel ran)s he sli#t&atching what 0i# %et trem led with the ShotThat so had hit the 'ar)3 !t fo!nd it not/Then, in a 5lance to Earth, he threaded thro!gh'os=!e, alace, Cell and Cottage of the Tr!e @1.Belief3in vain$ so ac) to Heaven went"nd3"llah*s 0i#s still trem ling with assentGThen the tenacio!s "ngel once againThreaded the Ran)s of Heav*n and Earth3in vain3 Till, once again ret!rn*d to aradise,

There, loo)ing into 5od*s, the "ngel*s E%esBeheld the ra%er that ro!ght that Benison


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Rising li)e Incense from the 0i#s of one&ho to an Idol owed3as est he )new4nder that (alse 5od worshi##ing the Tr!e/ @6.

"nd then came others whom the s!mmons fo!nd

Not wholl% sic) indeed, !t far from so!nd2&hose light inconstant So!l alternate flew(rom Saint to Sinner, and to oth !ntr!e$&ho li)e a niggard Tailor, tried to matchTr!th*s single 5arment with a worldl% atch/" dangero!s 5ame$ for, striving to ad8!stThe hesitating Scale of either 0!st,That which had least within it !#ward flew,"nd still the weightier to the Earth down drew, @7."nd, while s!s#ended etween Rise and (all,"#t with a sha)ing Hand to forfeit all/

There was a +!een of Eg%#t li)e the BrideOf Night, (!ll moon faced and Cano#!s e%ed,&hom one among the meanest of her Crowd0oved3and she )new it for he loved alo!d ,"nd sent for him, and said *Tho! lov*st th% +!een2

Now therefore Tho! hast this to choose etween2(l% for th% 0ife2 or for this one night &edTh% +!een, and with the S!nrise lose th% Head/* @:.He #a!sed3he t!rn*d to fl%3she str!c) him dead/*(or had he tr!l% loved his +!een,* said She,*He wo!ld at once have giv*n his 0ife for me,"nd 0ife and &ife had carried2 !t he lied$"nd loving onl% 0ife, has 8!stl% died/*

"nd then came one who having clear*d his Throat&ith sanctimonio!s Sweetness in his NoteTh!s lis#*d3*Behold I lang!ish from the first&ith #assionate and !nre=!ited ThirstOf 0ove for more than an% mortal Bird/ @;.Therefore have I withdrawn me from the Herd

To #ine in Solit!de/ B!t Tho! at lastHast drawn a line across the drear% ast,"nd s!re I am % (oretaste that the &ineI long*d for, and Tho! tell*st of, shall e mine/*

B!t he was sternl% chec)t/ *I tell thee this2S!ch Boast is no "ss!rance of s!ch Bliss2Tho! canst not even fill the sail of ra%er 4nless from Him reathe that a!thentic "ir That shall lift !# the C!rtain that divides @?.His 0over from the Harim where He hides3

"nd the (!lfilment of th% Fows m!st e, Not from th% 0ove for Him, !t His for Thee/*


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The third night after Ba8a9%d had died,One saw him, in a dream, at his Bedside,"nd said, *Tho! Ba8a9%d Tell me O %r,How fared it there with '!n)ar and Na)%r *"nd Ba8a9%d re#lied, *&hen from the 5rave

The% met me rising, and AIf "llah*s slaveA"s)*d me, Aor collar*d with the Chain of Hell A @@.I said ANot I !t 5od alone can tell2'% assion for his service were !t fond"m ition had not He a##roved the Bond2Had He not ro!nd m% nec) the Collar thrown"nd told me in the N!m er of his own$"nd that He onl% )new/ &hat signifies" h!ndred #ectedl% had come ..0eaving their Nests half !ilt3in ad Re#air3 &ith Children in3Themselves a o!t to #air3 *'ight he not choose a etter Season3na%,Better #erha#s a


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*"nd then, the same or li)e E>c!se,&ith harden*d Heart and Resol!tion loose&ith dall%ing2 and old "ge itself engagedStill to shir) that which shir)ing we have aged2 1."nd so with Self del!sion, till, too late,

Death !#on all Re#entance sh!ts the 5ate$Or some fierce low com#els the &a% to choose,"nd forced Re#entance half its Firt!e lose/*

"s of an aged Indian -ing the% tell&ho, when his Em#ire with his "rm% fell4nder %o!ng 'ahm!d*s Sword of &rath, was sent"t s!nset to the Con=!eror in his Tent$B!t, ere the old -ing*s silver head co!ld reachThe 5ro!nd, was lifted !#3with )indl% S#eech, 6."nd with so hol% 'erc% reass!red,That, after d!e ers!asion, he a 8!redHis idols, sate !#on 'ahm!d*s Divan,"nd too) the Name and (aith of '!s!lman/B!t when the Night fell, in his Tent aloneThe #oor old -ing was heard to wee# and groan"nd smite his Bosom$ which, when 'ahm!d )new,He went to him and said *0o, if Tho! r!eTh% lost Dominion, Tho! shalt wear the RingOf thrice as large a Realm/* B!t the dar) -ing 7.Still we#t, and "shes on his (orehead threw"nd cried *Not for m% -ingdom lost I r!e2B!t thin)ing how at the 0ast Da%, will standThe ro#het with The (olume in his Hand,"nd as) of me AHow was*t that, in th% Da%Of 5lor%, Tho! didst t!rn from 'e and sla%'% eo#le$ !t soon as th% InfidelBefore m% Tr!e Believers* "rm% fell0i)e Corn efore the Rea#er3tho! didst ownHis Sword who sco!tedst )e /A Of seed so sown :.&hat #rofita le Harvest sho!ld e grown *

Then after cheering others who dela%*d, Not of the Road !t of Themselves afraid,The Ta8idar the Troo# of those address*d,&hose !ncom#l%ing "ttit!de confess*dTheir So!ls entangled in the old Deceit,"nd han)ering still after for idden 'eat3 *O %e who so long feeding on the H!s) (orgo the (r!it, and doting on the D!s) Of the false Dawn, are linded to the Tr!e2 ;.That in the 'aidan of this &orld #!rs!eThe 5olden Ball which, driven to the 5oal,

&ins the &orld*s 5ame !t loses %o!r own So!l2Or li)e to Children after B! les r!n


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That still el!de %o!r (ingers$ or, if won,B!rst in Derision at %o!r To!ch$ all thin5litter witho!t, and em#t% &ind within/So as a #ros#ero!s &orldling on the BedOf Death3ABehold, I am as one,A he said,

A&ho all m% 0ife long have een meas!ring &ind, ?."nd, d%ing, now leave even that ehindA3 This &orld*s a Nest in which the Coc)atriceIs warm*d and hatcht of Fanit% and Fice2" false Ba9aar whose &ares are all a lie,Or never worth the rice at which %o! !%2" man% headed 'onster that, s!##liedThe faster, faster is !nsatisfied$So as one, hearing a rich (ool one da%To 5od for %et one other Blessing #ra%,Bid him no longer o!nteo!s Heaven tire @.(or 0ife to feed, !t Death to =!ench, the (ire/"nd what are all the Fanities and &ilesIn which the false &orld dec)s herself and smilesTo draw 'en down into her harlot 0a#0!sts of the (lesh that So!l and Bod% sa#,"nd, melting So!l down into carnal 0!st,Ev*n that for which *tis sacrificed disg!st2Or 0!st of worldl% 5lor%3hollow moreThan the Dr!m eaten at the S!ltan*s Door,"nd fl!ct!ating with the Breath of 'an ."s the Fain Banner fla##ing in the Fan/"nd 0!st of 5old3#erha#s of 0!sts the worst$The mis created Idol most acc!rstThat etween 'an and Him who made him stands2The (elon that with s!icidal handsHe sweats to dig and resc!e from his 5rave,"nd sets at large to ma)e Himself its Slave/

*(or lo, to what worse than o livion gone"re some the co9ening &orld most doted on/

haraoh tried *lory 2 and his Chariots drown*d2 .

-ar!n with all his 5old went !ndergro!nd2Down to##led Nem roth with his air% Stair2Schedad among his Roses lived3 !t where

*"nd as the &orld !#on her victims feedsSo She herself goes down the &a% she leads/(or all her false all!rements are the ThreadsThe S#ider from her Entrail s#ins, and s#reads(or Home and h!nting gro!nd2 "nd % and %Darts at d!e Signal on the tangled (l%,Sei9es, dis wings, and drains the 0ife, and leaves ..

The swinging Carcase, and forthwith re weavesHer &e 2 each Fictim adding to the store


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Of #oison*d Entrail to entangle more/"nd so She loats in 5lor%2 till one Da%The 'aster of the Ho!se, #assing that wa%,

erceives, and with one flo!rish of his BroomOf &e and (l% and S#ider clears the Room/

*Behold, dro#t thro!gh the 5ate of 'ortal Birth,The -nightl% So!l alights from Heav*n on Earth$Begins his Race, !t scarce the Saddle feels, 1.&hen a fo!l Im# !# from the distance steals,"nd, do! le as he will, a o!t his HeelsCloser and ever closer circling cree#s,Then, half invited, on the Saddle lea#s,Clings ro!nd the Rider, and, once there, in vainThe strongest strives to thr!st him off again/In Childhood 8!st #ee#s !# the Blade of Ill,That


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Descended from the ro#het*s Th!nder olt/A"nd I might well estow the last,A he said, ;.AOn him who ro!ght me &ord the Bo% was dead/A*"nd if so vain the glittering (ish we get,How do! l% vain to dote !#on the Net,

Call*d 0ife, that draws them, #atching !# this thinTiss!e of Breathing o!t and Breathing in,"nd so % h!s anding each wretched ThreadS#in o!t Death*s ver% terror that we dread3 (or as the Raindro# from the s#here of 5odDro#t for a while into the 'ortal ClodSo little ma)es of its allotted Time ?.Bac) to its Heav*n itself to re s! lime,That it !t serves to sat!rate its Cla%&ith Bitterness that will not #ass awa%/*

One da% the ro#het on a River Ban),Di##ing his 0i#s into the Channel, dran) " Dra!ght as sweet as Hone%/ Then there cameOne who an earthen itcher from the sameDrew !#, and dran)2 and after some short sta%4nder the Shadow, rose and went his &a%/0eaving his earthen Bowl/ In which, anew @.Thirsting, the ro#het from the River drew,"nd dran) from2 !t the &ater that came !#Sweet from the Stream/ dran) itter from the C!#/"t which the ro#het in a still S!r#rise(or "nswer t!rning !# to Heav*n his E%es,The Fessel*s Earthen 0i#s with "nswer ran3 *The Cla% that I am made of once was 'an,&ho d%ing, and resolved into the sameO literated Earth from which he came&as for the otter d!g, and chased in t!rn .Thro!gh long Ficissit!de of Bowl and 4rn2B!t howsoever mo!lded, still the ainOf that first mortal "ng!ish wo!ld retain,"nd cast, and re cast, for a Tho!sand %ears

&o!ld t!rn the sweetest &ater into Tears/*

"nd after Death 3that, shir) it as we ma%,Will come, and with it ring its "fter Da%3

(or ev*n as

Nor )new him, for a Feil efore his (aceStr!c) on his '%stic C!#, which straightwa% thenR!ng o!t their Stor% to those g!ilt% Ten23

Not to them onl%, !t to ever% one$&hatever he have said and tho!ght and done,


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4n !ried with the Bod% shall fl% !#,"nd gather into Heav*n*s inverted C!#,&hich, stric)en % 5od*s (inger, shall tell allThe Stor% where % we m!st stand or fall/"nd tho!gh we wal) this &orld as if ehind 1...

There were no !dgement, or the !dge half lind,Beware, for He with whom we have to doO!tsees the 0%n>, o!tlives the hoeni> too3

So S!ltan 'ahm!d, coming (ace to (ace&ith mightier n!m rs of the swarth% Race,Fow*d that if 5od to him the attle gave,5od*s Dervish eo#le all the S#oil sho!ld have/"nd 5od the Battle gave him$ and the (r!itOf a great Con=!est coming to com#!te," '!rm!r thro!gh the S!ltan*s "rm% stirr*d 1.1.0est, ill committed to one hast% &ord,The Shah sho!ld s=!ander on an idle Brood&hat sho!ld e theirs who earn*d it with their Blood,Or go to fill the Coffers of the State/So 'ahm!d*s So!l egan to hesitate2Till loo)ing ro!nd in Do! t from side to side" raving Lealot in the ress he s#ied,"nd call*d and had him ro!ght efore his (ace,"nd, telling, id him ar itrate the case/&ho, having listen*d, said3*The Thing is #lain2 1.6.If Tho! and 5od sho!ld never have againTo deal together, ro him of his share2B!t if #erchance %o! sho!ld3wh% then BewareG*

So s#a)e the Ta8idar2 !t (ear and Do! t"mong the Birds in &his#ers went a o!t25reat was their Need2 and S!cco!r to e so!ght"t an% Ris)2 at an% Ransom o!ght2B!t s!ch a 'onarch3greater than 'ahm!dThe 5reat HimselfG &h% how sho!ld he e woo*dTo listen to them the% too have come 1.7.

O So s!ddenl%, and !n#re#ared from home&ith an% 5old, or ewel, or rich ThingTo carr% with them to so great a -ing3

oor Creat!resG with the old and carnal Blind,S#ite of all said, so thic) !#on the 'ind,Devising how the% might ingratiate"ccess, as to some earthl% otentate/

*0et him that with this 'onarch wo!ld engageBring the 5old D!st of a long ilgrimage2The R! % of a leeding Heart, whose Sighs 1.:.

Breathe more than "m er incense as it dies$"nd while in na)ed Beggar% he stands


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Ho#e for the Ro e of Hono!r from his Hands/*"nd, as no gift this Sovereign receivesSave the mere So!l and Self of him who gives,So let that So!l for other none Reward0oo) than the resence of its Sovereign 0ord/*

"nd as his Hearers seem*d to estimateTheir Scale of 5lor% from 'ahm!d the 5reat," sim#le Stor% of the S!ltan told 1.;.How est a s! 8ect with his Shah made old3

One night Shah 'ahm!d who had een of lateSomewhat distem#er*d with "ffairs of StateStroll*d thro!gh the Streets disg!ised, as wont to do3 "nd, coming to the Baths, there on the (l!eSaw the #oor (ellow who the (!rnace fedSitting eside his &ater 8!g and Bread/'ahm!d ste#t in3sat down3!nas)*d too) !#"nd tasted of the !ntasted 0oaf and C!#,Sa%ing within himself, *5r!dge !t a it, 1.?."nd, % the 0ord, %o!r Head shall #a% for itG*So having rested, warm*d and satisfiedHimself witho!t a &ord on either side,"t last the wa%ward S!ltan rose to go/"nd then at last his Host ro)e silence3*So 3 "rt satisfied &ell, Brother, an% Da%Or Night, remem er, when %o! come this &a%"nd want a it of rovender3wh%, %o!"re welcome, and if not3wh%, welcome too/*3 The S!ltan was so tic)led with the whim [email protected] this =!aint Entertainment and of him&ho offer*d it, that man% a Night againSto)er and Shah forgather*d in that Fein3 Till, the #oor (ellow having stood the TestOf tr!e 5ood fellowshi#, 'ahm!d confess*dOne Night the S!ltan that had een his 5!est2"nd in re=!ital of the scant% DoleThe oor 'an offer*d with so large a so!l,

Bid him as) an% 0argess that he wo!ld" Throne3if he would have it, so he should / 1. .The oor 'an )iss*d the D!st, and *"ll,* said he,*I as) is what and where I am to e$If !t the Shah from time to time will come"s now and see me in the lowl% HomeHis #resence ma)es a #alace, and m% own

oor (l!e more ro%al than another*s Throne/*

So said the cheer% Tale2 and, as the% heard,"gain the Heart eneath the (eather stirr*d2

"gain forgot the Danger and the &oesOf the long Travel in its glorio!s Close23 1. .


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*Here tr!l% all was overt%, Des#air "nd misera le Banishment3 !t thereThat more than 'ahm!d, for no more than ra%er &ho wo!ld restore them to their ancient lace,"nd ro!nd their Sho!lders fling his Ro e of 5race/*

The% cla##*d their &ings, on (ire to e assa%*d"nd #rove of what tr!e 'etal the% were made,"ltho!gh defaced, and wanting the tr!e Ring"nd S!#erscri#tion of their rightf!l -ing/

*The RoadG The RoadG* in co!ntless voices cried 11..The Host3*The RoadG and who shall e o!r 5!ide *"nd the% themselves *The Ta8idarG* re#lied2


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B!t where the ilgrim *gins to hear the TideOf that one Sea in which the Sev*n s! side$"nd not the Sev*n Seas onl%2 !t the sev*n 11 ."nd self enfolded S#heres of Earth and Heav*n3


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&ith him who never more ret!rns to tell/S!ch eing then the Race and s!ch the 5oal,

!dge if %o! m!st not Bod% oth and So!l&ith 'editation, &atch and (ast #re#are/ 16:.(or he that wastes his od% to a Hair

Shall sei9e the 0oc)s of Tr!th2 and He that #ra%s5ood "ngels in their 'inistr% wa%la%s2"nd the 'idnightl% &atcher in the (oldsOf his own Dar)ness 5od "lmight% holds/He that wo!ld #ros#er here m!st from him stri#The &orld, and ta)e the Dervish 5own and Scri#2"nd as he goes m!st gather from all SidesIrrelevant "m itions, 0!sts and rides,5lor% and 5old, and sens!al Desire, 16;.&hereof to !ild the f!ndamental %reOf Self annihilation2 and cast in"ll old Relations and Regards of -in"nd Co!ntr%2 and, the ile with this #er#le>t&orld #latform*d, from the (a les of the Ne>tRaise it tow*rd C!lmination, with the tornRags and Integ!ments of Creeds o!t worn$"nd to# the gidd% S!mmit with the ScrollOf eason that in ding% Smo)e shall rollOver the tr!e Self sacrifice of So!l2 16?.

(or s!ch a ra%er was his3*O 5od, do Tho!&ith all m% &ealth in the other &orld endow'% (riends2 and with m% &ealth in this m% (oes,Till an)r!#t in thy Riches I re#oseG*Then, all the ile com#leted of the elf Of either &orld3at last throw on Thysel# ,"nd with the torch of Self negation fire$"nd ever as the (lames rise high and higher,&ith Cries of agonising 5lor% still"ll of that Sel# !rn !# that !rn !# will, [email protected] the hoeni> that no (ire can sla%To s#ring from its own "shes )indled3na%,Itself an ine>ting!isha le S#ar)

Of Being, now eneath Earth ashes dar),Transcending these, at last tsel# transcends"nd with the One Eternal Essence lends/

The 'oths had long een e>iled from the (lameThe% worshi#2 so to solemn Co!ncil came,"nd voted One of them % 0ot e sentTo find their Idol/ One was chosen2 went/ 16 ."nd after a long Circ!it in sheer 5loom,Seeing, he tho!ght, the T" ER in a Room(lew ac) at once to sa% so/ B!t the chief

Of )othistan slighted so slight Belief,"nd sent another 'essenger, who flew


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Or Crocodile that e%ed them from the 0a)e2Or raving 'ad, or in des#air Self slain2Or sla%ing one another for a 5rain23

Till of the might% Host that fledged the Dome

Of Heav*n and (loor of Earth on leaving Home," Handf!l reach*d and scram led !# the -nees 17:.Of -af whose (eet di# in the Seven Seas$"nd of the few that !# his (orest sidesOf 0ight and Dar)ness where The Presence hides,B!t Thirty 3thirt% des#erate draggled Things,Half dead, with scarce a (eather on their &ings,St!nn*d, linded, deafen*d with the Crash and Cra9eOf Roc) and Sea colla#sing in a Bla9eThat str!c) the S!n to Cinder3fell !#onThe Threshold of the Everlasting One ,&ith !t eno!gh of 0ife in each to cr%, 17;.On TH"T which all a sor *d3 "nd s!ddenl%(orth flash*d a winged Har inger of (lame"nd Tong!e of (ire, and *&ho * and *&hence the% came *"nd *&h% * demanded/ "nd the Ta8idar (or all the Thirt% answer*d him3*&e areThose (ractions of the S!m of Being, far Dis s#ent and fo!l disfig!red, that once moreStri)e for "dmission at the Treas!r% Door/*To whom the "ngel answer*d3*-now %e notThat He %o! see) rec)s little who or what 17?.Of +!antit% and -ind3himself the (o!ntOf Being 4niversal needs no Co!ntOf all the Dro#s o*erflowing from his 4rn,In what Degree the% iss!e or ret!rn *

Then cried the S#o)esman, *Be it even so20et !s !t see the (o!nt from which we flow,*"nd, seeing, lose O!rselves thereinG* and, 0oGBefore the &ord was !tter*d, or the Tong!e

Of (ire re#lied, or ortal o#en fl!ng/The% were within 3the% were efore the Throne , [email protected] the 'a8est% that sat thereon,B!t wra#t in so ins!ffera le a Bla9eOf 5lor% as eat down their affled 5a9e/&hich, downward dro##ing, fell !#on a ScrollThat, 0ightning li)e, flash*d ac) on each the whole

ast half forgotten Stor% of his So!l20i)e that which

Their own Indent!re for their Brother soldG 17 ."nd so with these #oor Thirt%2 who, a asht


31/32

In 'emor% all laid are and Conscience lasht,B% f!ll Confession and Self loathing fl!ngThe Rags of carnal Self that ro!nd them cl!ng$"nd, their old selves self )nowledged and self loathed,"nd in the So!l*s Integrit% re clothed,

Once more the% vent!red from the D!st to raiseTheir E%es3!# to the Throne3into the Bla9e,"nd in the Centre of the 5lor% thereBeheld the (ig!re of3 Themsel!es 3as *twere 17 .Transfig!red3loo)ing to Themselves, eheldThe (ig!re on the Throne en miracled,4ntil their E%es themselves and That etweenDid hesitate which S/er was, which Seen$The% That, That The%2 "nother, %et the Same2Divid!al, %et One2 from whom there came" Foice of awf!l "nswer, scarce discern*d(rom which to "s#iration whose ret!rn*dThe% scarcel% )new$ as when some 'an a#art"nswers alo!d the +!estion in his Heart3 1:..*The S!n of m% erfection is a 5lass&herein from Seeing into "eing #ass"ll who, reflecting as reflected seeThemselves in 'e, and 'e in Them2 not 'e,B!t all of 'e that a contracted E%eIs com#rehensive of Infinit%2

Nor %et Themsel!es 2 no Selves, !t of The "ll(ractions, from which the% s#lit and whither fall/"s &ater lifted from the Dee#, again(alls ac) in individ!al Dro#s of Rain 1:1.Then melts into the 4niversal 'ain/"ll %o! have een, and seen, and done, and tho!ght,

Not 0ou !t , have seen and een and wro!ght2I was the Sin that from '%self re ell*d2I the Remorse that tow*rd '%self com#ell*d2I was the Ta8idar who led the Trac)2I was the little Briar that #!ll*d %o! ac)2Sin and Contrition3Retri !tion owed,

"nd cancell*d3 ilgrim, ilgrimage, and Road,&as !t '%self toward '%self2 and


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This was the arliament of Birds2 and this 1:7.The Stor% of the Host who went amiss,"nd of the (ew that etter 4#shot fo!nd$&hich eing now reco!nted, 0o, the 5ro!ndOf S#eech fails !nderfoot2 B!t this to tell3

Their Road is thine3(ollow3and (are thee well/ 1:7;

conference of the birds-faridudin attar

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