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2
820-844

  • That (saint) who is lesser than this lamp is our lamp-niche: the Light has gradations in degree, 820
  • Because the Light of God has seven hundred veils: regard the veils of the Light as so many tiers.
  • Behind each veil a certain class (of saints) has its place of abode: these veils of theirs are (in ascending order), rank by rank, up to the Imám.
  • Those in the last (lowest) rank, through their weakness, (are such that) their eyes cannot endure the light in front (of them);
  • And that front rank, from weakness of sight, cannot support the light that is more advanced.
  • The light that is the life of the first (highest rank) is heartache and tribulation to this squinter; 825
  • (But) the squintnesses, little by little, grow less, and when he passes beyond the seven hundred (veils), he becomes the Sea.
  • The fire that does good to iron or gold—how is it good for fresh quinces and apples?
  • The apple and quince have (only) a slight crudity: unlike iron, they want a gentle heat;
  • But those flames are (too) gentle for the iron, for it is (eagerly) drawing to (itself) the heat of that (fiery) dragon.
  • That iron is the dervish who bears hardship (self-mortification): under the hammer and the fire he is red and happy. 830
  • He is the chamberlain of the fire (and) in immediate touch (with it): he goes into the heart of the fire without (any) link (between the fire and him).
  • Without some screen, water and water's children get no cooking or conversation from the fire.
  • The medium is a pot or a pan—as (the medium) for the foot in walking (is) a sock (shoe)—
  • Or a space between, so that the air becomes burning hot and brings (the fire) to the water.
  • The dervish, then, is he that has no intermediary: the flames have (direct) connexion with his being. 835
  • Therefore he is the heart of the world, because by means of this heart the body attains to (its proper) art (function).
  • (If) the heart be not there, how can the body talk and speak? (If) the heart seek not, how can the body seek and search?
  • Therefore the theatre of the (Divine) rays is that iron; therefore the theatre of God is the heart, not the body.
  • Again, these partial (individual) hearts are as the body in relation to the heart of the man of heart (the perfect saint), which is the original source.
  • This argument wants much illustration and exposition, but I fear lest the opinion of the vulgar should stumble (and fall into error), 840
  • (And) lest my goodness should be turned (by them) to badness;—even this that I have spoken was (from) naught but selflessness.
  • The crooked shoe is better for the crooked foot; the beggar's power reaches only as far as the door.
  • How the King made trial of the two slaves whom he had recently purchased.
  • A King bought two slaves cheap, and conversed with one of the twain.
  • He found him quick-witted and answering sweetly: what issues from the sugar-lip? Sugar-water.