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6
246-295

  • Although Hell-fire does no injury to the true believer, yet ’tis still better to pass on from that place (and leave it behind).
  • Although Hell keeps its torment far from him, yet in any case Paradise is better for him.
  • O ye deficient (in understanding), beware of this rose-cheeked one who at the time of intercourse becomes (like) a hell.
  • Story of the Hindú slave who had secretly fallen in love with his master's daughter. On learning that the girl was betrothed to the son of a nobleman, the slave sickened and began to waste away. No physician could diagnose his malady, and he (the slave) durst not tell.
  • A certain Khwája had a Hindú slave whom he had educated and enlivened (with knowledge).
  • He had taught him science and all polite accomplishments; he had lighted the candle of erudition in his heart. 250
  • That beneficent man had brought him up indulgently from childhood in the lap of kindness.
  • This Khwája had also a fair daughter, silver-limbed, lovely, and of excellent disposition.
  • When the girl had almost reached womanhood, the suitors (for her hand) were offering heavy dowries,
  • And there was continually coming to him (the Khwája) from every nobleman a wooer to ask for the girl (in marriage).
  • The Khwája said (to himself), “Wealth has no permanence: it comes in the morning, and at night it goes in all directions (is scattered to the winds). 255
  • Physical beauty too has no importance, for a (rosy) face is made yellow (pale) by a single thorn-scratch.
  • Noble birth also is of small account, for he (such an one) is befooled by money and horses.”
  • Oh, there is many a nobleman's son who in riot and mischief has disgraced his father by his wicked deeds.
  • Do not court a man full of talent either, (even) if he be exquisite (in that respect), and take a warning from (the example of) Iblís.
  • He (Iblís) had knowledge, (but) since he had not religious love, he beheld in Adam nothing but a figure of clay. 260
  • Though you may know (all) the minutiae of knowledge, O trustworthy (scholar), not by that (means) will your two (inward) eyes that discern the invisible be opened.
  • He (the scholar) sees nothing but a turban and beard: he asks the announcer (for information) about his (the stranger's) merits and demerits.
  • (But) you, O knower (of God), have no need of the announcer: you see for yourself, for you are the rising light.
  • The (only) thing that matters is fear of God and religion and piety, of which the result is happiness in both worlds.
  • He (the Khwája) chose a pious son-in-law who was the pride of the whole clan and stock. 265
  • Then the women said, “He has no riches, he has neither nobility nor beauty nor independence.”
  • He replied, “Those things are secondary to asceticism and religion: he (the pious man), (though) without gold, is a treasure on the face of the earth.”
  • When it became known that the girl was going to be married in earnest, (as was proved by) the hand-promise, the tokens, and the wedding-outfit,
  • The little slave, who was in the house, immediately became ill and weak and poorly.
  • He was wasting away like one suffering from phthisis: no physician could recognise his ailment. 270
  • Reason declared that the malady had its source in his heart (and that) medicine for the body is useless for heart-ache.
  • The little slave breathed no word of his (real) state and did not tell what was the cause of the pangs in his breast.
  • One night the husband said to his wife, “Ask him privately what is the matter with him.
  • You are in the place of a mother to him: maybe he will disclose his trouble to you.”
  • When the mistress heard these words, next day she went to the slave. 275
  • Then the dame combed his head very fondly with many endearments and signs of friendliness.
  • In the fashion of fond mothers she soothed him until he began to explain,
  • Saying, “I did not expect this from you—that you would give your daughter to a cross-grained stranger.
  • She is my master's child, and I am heart-sick: is it not a shame that she should go elsewhere (as a bride)?”
  • The mistress, (impelled) by the anger that rose in her, was about to strike him and hurl him down from the roof, 280
  • Saying (to herself), “Who is he, a whoreson Hindú, that he should desire a Khwája's daughter?”
  • (But) she said, “Patience is best,” and restrained herself; (afterwards) she said to the Khwája, “Listen to this wonderful thing!
  • Such a wretched slave a traitor! (And) we thought he could be trusted!”
  • How the Khwája bade the girl's mother be patient, saying, “Don't scold the slave: without scolding him I will make him abandon this desire in such a way that neither will the spit be burnt nor the meat be left uncooked.
  • “Have patience,” said the Khwája: “tell him, ‘We will break off (the match) with him (the prospective bridegroom) and give her to you,’
  • That perchance I may banish this (hope) from his mind: watch and see how I will thwart him. 285
  • Gladden his heart and say, ‘Know for sure that our daughter is really your (destined) spouse.
  • O goodly wooer, we didn't know (that you desired her): (now), since we know (that), you are the most worthy.
  • Our fire is in our own hearth: Laylá (the bride) is ours, and you are our Majnún (bridegroom).’
  • (Tell him this) in order that happy fancies and thoughts may affect him: sweet thoughts make a man fat.
  • An animal is made fat, but (only) by fodder; man is fattened by honour and eminence. 290
  • Man is fattened through his ear; an animal is fattened through its gullet and by eating and drinking.”
  • The mistress said, “Such a vile disgrace! How indeed shall my lips move in this matter?
  • Why should I talk drivel like this for his sake? Let the devilish traitor die!”
  • “Nay,” replied the Khwája, “have no fear, but wheedle him, in order that his illness may depart from him by virtue of this sweet flattery.
  • Charge me with the task of thwarting him, O beloved, and let that spinner of fine yarns regain his health.” 295