 | Potiphar's Wife and Other Poems |  |
113
A ROSE OF THE “GARDEN OF FRAGRANCE.”
(From the Persian of Sâdi's “Bostan.”)
Of hearts disconsolate see to the state:
To bear a breaking heart may prove thy fate.
To bear a breaking heart may prove thy fate.
Help to be happy those thine aid can bless,
Mindful of thine own day of helplessness.
Mindful of thine own day of helplessness.
If thou at others' doors need'st not to pine
In thanks to Allah drive no man from thine.
In thanks to Allah drive no man from thine.
Over the orphan's path protection spread!
Pluck out his heart-grief, lift his drooping head.
Pluck out his heart-grief, lift his drooping head.
When with his neck bent low thou spiest one,
Kiss not the lifted face of thine own son!
Kiss not the lifted face of thine own son!
114
Take heed these go not weeping. Allah's throne
Shakes to the sigh the orphan breathes alone.
Shakes to the sigh the orphan breathes alone.
With kindness wipe the tear-drop from his eye,
Cleanse him from dust of his calamity!
Cleanse him from dust of his calamity!
There was a merchant, who, upon his way—
Meeting one fatherless and lamed—did stay
Meeting one fatherless and lamed—did stay
To draw the thorn which pricked his foot; and passed:
And 'twas forgot: and the man died at last:
And 'twas forgot: and the man died at last:
But in a dream the Prince of Khojand spies
That man again, walking in Paradise;
That man again, walking in Paradise;
Walking and talking in the Blessed Land,
And what he said the Prince could understand:
And what he said the Prince could understand:
For he said this: plucking the heavenly posies,
“Ajâb! that one thorn made me many Roses!”
“Ajâb! that one thorn made me many Roses!”
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