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5
2250-2299

  • Then they began to search incontinently with all their might in the mouths and ears (of the bathers) and in every cleft. 2250
  • In rima inferiore et superiore and everywhere they searched for the pearl belonging to a beauteous oyster-shell. [In lower and upper (bodily) apertures and everywhere they searched for the pearl belonging to a beauteous oyster-shell.]
  • Proclamation was made: “Strip, all (of you), whoever ye are, whether ye are old or young!”
  • The lady-in-waiting began to search them, one by one, (in the hope) that the marvellous pearl might be discovered.
  • Nasúh, (stricken) with fear, went into a private place: his face (was) yellow (pale) and his lips blue on account of a (great) terror (which possessed him).
  • He saw death before his eyes: he went (to hide himself), trembling like a leaf. 2255
  • He cried, “O Lord, many a time have I turned away (from evil courses) and (then) broken my vows of penitence and my promises.
  • I have done the (foul) things that were fit to be done by me, so that such a black flood (of calamity) has arrived.
  • If my turn to be searched shall come, oh, what cruel sufferings must my soul endure!
  • A hundred sparks of fire have fallen on my heart: perceive in my orisons the smell of my (burning) heart.
  • May anguish like this not be the infidel's (portion)! I clutch the skirt of (Thy) mercy. Help, help! 2260
  • Would that my mother had not borne me, or that a lion had devoured me in the pasture!
  • O God, do Thou what is worthy to be done by Thee, for from every hole a snake is biting me.
  • I have a soul of stone, and my heart is of iron, otherwise they would have turned into blood in this sorrow and lamentation.
  • The time presses and I have (only) one moment (left): act in kingly fashion, come to my aid!
  • If Thou wilt cover me up (conceal my sin) this time, (henceforth) I repent of everything that ought not to be done. 2265
  • Accept my repentance this once more, that I may gird myself with a hundred belts for repentance.
  • If I commit any fault (in keeping my vow) this time, then do not hearken again to my prayer and words (of entreaty).”
  • Thus was he moaning while a hundred tears flowed (from his eyes). “I have fallen,” he cried, “into the hands of the executioner and policeman.
  • Let no Frank die such a death: may no mulhid (Ismá‘ílí or ‘Assassin’) have (cause to make) this lamentation!”
  • He was uttering cries of mourning over his soul, (for) he saw the face of Azrael (coming) nearer and nearer. 2270
  • He cried “O God, O God” so often that door and wall joined with him (echoed his words).
  • He was deep in “O Lord” and “O Lord” (when suddenly) from amidst the (people engaged in) search came the (following) announcement.
  • [How the turn came for Nasúh to be searched, and how a voice proclaimed—“We have searched them all, (now) search Nasúh”; and how Nasúh became senseless from terror, and how after extreme oppression of spirit the way of deliverance was opened to him, as the Prophet of God—may God bless and save him!— used to say, whenever sickness or anxiety overtook him, “O distress, become severe: then thou wilt pass away.”]
  • “We have searched them all: come forward, O Nasúh.” Thereupon he lost his senses, his spirit took wing.
  • He fell like a broken wall: his consciousness and understanding departed, he became like lifeless matter.
  • When his consciousness went without delay from his body, at that moment his inmost soul was united with God. 2275
  • When he was emptied (of self) and his (self-) existence remained not, God called the falcon, his soul, into His presence.
  • When his ship was wrecked and every hope had failed, he was cast on the seashore of (Divine) Mercy.
  • His soul became united with God: at the moment when he lost consciousness the waves of Mercy began to surge.
  • When his soul was freed from the disgrace of the body, it went rejoicing towards its Origin.
  • The soul is like a falcon, and the body is its fetter: (’tis) a foot-bound broken-winged creature; 2280
  • (But) when its self-consciousness is gone and its foot untied, that falcon flies towards the King.
  • When the seas of Mercy begin to surge, even stones drink the Water of Life.
  • The frail mote becomes stout and strong; the carpet of earth becomes (like) satin and cloth of gold.
  • He that has been dead a hundred years comes forth from the grave; the accursed devil becomes an object of envy to the houris on account of his beauty.
  • The whole face of this earth becomes verdant; the dry wood buds and becomes flourishing. 2285
  • The wolf becomes the cup-companion of the lamb; the despairing become courageous and valiant.
  • The finding of the jewel, and how the ladies-in-waiting and handmaids of the princess begged Nasúh to exonerate them.
  • After that soul-destroying fear, came the good news—“Here is the lost (jewel)!”
  • Suddenly rose a shout—“The danger is past: the single pearl that was missing has been found.
  • It is found, and we are penetrated with joy: give us the reward, for we have found the pearl.”
  • The bath-house was filled with clamour and screams and clapping of hands (because) sorrow had disappeared. 2290
  • Nasúh who had gone (out of himself) came to himself again: his eye saw in front (of him) the splendour of a hundred (shining) days.
  • Every one was begging him to exonerate them and giving his hand many a kiss.
  • (They said), “We had evil thoughts (of thee), and (we pray thee to) exonerate us. We were backbiting thee in our talk”;
  • For the suspicion of all (the women) against him had been increased by the fact that he was in higher favour (with the princess) than all (the rest of them).
  • Nasúh was her private shampooer and confidant; nay (they were) as two bodies with one soul. 2295
  • (Hence the women had said), “If (any one) has taken the pearl, only he can have taken it: none is more closely attached to the Lady than he.
  • At first she wished to search him forcibly, (but) from respect for his reputation she delayed,
  • In the hope that he might drop it (the pearl) somewhere and (thus) save himself during the respite.”
  • They were begging him to grant these absolutions and were rising up to excuse themselves.