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5
2261-2310

  • 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.
  • He replied, “’Twas the grace of God, who deals justice; else I am worse than what has been said (of me). 2300
  • Why should absolution be begged of me? for I am the most sinful of (all) the people in the world.
  • The evil they spoke of me is (but) a hundredth part (of that which I have committed): this is clearly known to me, if any one has a doubt (concerning it).
  • What does any one know of me but a little—(what but) one of my thousand sins and evil deeds?
  • I know, and He who draws a veil (of concealment) over me (knows) my sins and the wickedness of my conduct.
  • At first an Iblís was my teacher; afterwards Iblís was (mere) wind in comparison with me. 2305
  • God saw all that (iniquity), (but) made as though He saw it not, lest I should be openly dishonoured by its exposure.
  • Moreover, (the Divine) Mercy exercised the furrier's craft on me and bestowed on me a repentance sweet as life.
  • Whatever (ill deeds) I had done, it took them as not having been done; and my undone (acts of) obedience it took as having been performed.
  • It made me free (pure and noble) as the cypress and the lily; it made me glad of heart as fortune and felicity.
  • It inscribed my name in the register of the righteous: I was one doomed to Hell; it gave me Paradise. 2310