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6
3518-3567

  • This goodly episode is endless (too long to relate in full). When the poor stranger turned back from the Khwája's grave,
  • The bailiff took him to his house and handed over to him the purse of a hundred dinars.
  • He fetched viands for him and told him stories, so that from the (feeling of) hope (with which the bailiff inspired him) a hundred roses blossomed in his heart. 3520
  • He (the bailiff) opened his lips to relate the ease (prosperity) which he had experienced after difficulty (adversity).
  • Midnight passed, and (he was still) narrating: (then) sleep transported them to the meadow where the spirit feeds.
  • On that night the bailiff dreamed that he saw the blessed Khwája (seated) on the high-seat in the (heavenly) palace.
  • The Khwája said, “O excellent bailiff, I have heard what you said, point by point,
  • But I was not commanded to answer, and I durst not open my lips without being directed. 3525
  • Now that we have become acquainted with the conditions and degrees (of the spiritual world), a seal has been laid upon our lips,
  • Lest the mysteries of the Unseen should be divulged and (thereby) the life and livelihood (of mortals) be destroyed,
  • And lest the veil of forgetfulness should be entirely rent and (the meat in) the pot of tribulation be left half-raw.
  • We are all ear, (though) the (material) form of the ear has become deaf: we are all speech, but our lips are silent.
  • We now see (the result of) everything that we gave (during our life in the world): this (material) world is the veil, and that (spiritual) world is the vision. 3530
  • The day of sowing is the day of concealment and scattering seed in a piece of earth.
  • The season of reaping and the time of plying the sickle is the day of recompense and manifestation.
  • [How the Khwája disclosed to the bailiff in his dream the means of paying the debts incurred by the friend who had come (to visit him); and how he indicated the spot where the money was buried, and sent a message to his heirs that on no account should they regard that (sum of money) as too much (for the debtor) or withhold anything (from him), and that (even) though he were to refuse the whole or a part of it they must let it remain in the place (where it was accessible), in order that any one who wished might take it away; ‘for,’ said he, ‘I have made vows to God that not one mite of that money shall come back again to me and those connected with me,’ etc.]
  • Now hear the bounty (which I have reserved) for my new guest. I foresaw that he would arrive,
  • And I had heard the news of his debt, (so) I packed up two or three jewels for him,
  • Which are (enough for) the full payment of his debt, and more: (this I did) in order that the heart of my guest should not be wounded (torn with anxiety). 3535
  • He owes nine thousand (pieces) of gold: let him discharge his debt with some of these (jewels).
  • There will be a great many of them left over: let him expend (this surplus) and include me too in a benediction.
  • I wished to give them (to him) with my own hand: (all) these assignments are written in such-and-such a note-book.
  • Death, however, did not allow me time to hand over to him secretly the pearls of Aden.
  • Rubies and corundums for (the payment of) his debt are (stored) in a certain vessel on which his name is written. 3540
  • I have buried it in a certain vault: I have shown solicitude for my ancient friend.
  • None but kings can know the value of that (treasure): take care, then, that they (the purchasers) do not cheat you in the sale.
  • In sales (commercial transactions), for fear of being swindled, behave in the same manner as the Prophet, who taught (his followers to demand) three days' option.
  • Do not be afraid of it (the treasure) depreciating and do not fall (into anxiety), since the demand for it will never decline.
  • Give my heirs a greeting from me and rehearse to them this injunction, point by point, 3545
  • In order that they may not be deterred by the largeness of the (sum of) gold, but may deliver it to that guest (of mine) without reluctance.
  • And if he say that he does not want so much, bid him take it and bestow it on whom he will.
  • I will not take back a jot of what I have given: the milk never comes back to the teat.
  • According to the Prophet's saying, he who reclaims a gift will have become like a dog devouring his vomit.
  • And if he shut the door and (declare that he) has no need of the gold, let them pour the bounty at his door, 3550
  • (So that) every one who passes may carry gold away: the gifts of the sincere are never taken back.
  • I laid it in store for him two years ago and vowed to the Almighty (that it should be his).
  • And if they (my heirs) deem it permissible to take aught (for themselves), verily twentyfold loss will befall them.
  • If they vex my spirit, a hundred doors of tribulation will at once be opened for them.
  • I have good hope of God that He will cause the due (payment) to reach the person who has the right to it.” 3555
  • He (the Khwája) unfolded two other matters to him (the bailiff), (but) I will not open my lips in mention of them,
  • In order that (these) two matters may remain secret and mysterious, and also that the Mathnawí may not become so very long.
  • He (the bailiff) sprang up from sleep, (joyously) snapping his fingers, now singing love-songs and now making lament.
  • The guest (the debtor) said, “In what mad fits are you (plunged)? O bailiff, you have risen intoxicated and merry.
  • I wonder what you dreamed last night, O exalted one, that you cannot be contained in city or desert. 3560
  • Your elephant has dreamed of Hindustán, for you have fled from the circle of your friends.”
  • He replied, “I have dreamed a mad dream: I have beheld a sun in my heart.
  • In my dream I saw the wakeful Khwája, who gave up his life for vision (of God).
  • In my dream I saw the Khwája, the giver of things desired, (who was) one man like (equal to) a thousand if any (grave) affair happened.”
  • Drunken and beside himself, he continued to recount in this fashion till intoxication bereft him of reason and consciousness. 3565
  • He fell (and lay) at full length in the middle of the room: a crowd of people gathered round him.
  • (When) he came to himself, he said, “O Sea of bliss, O Thou who hast stored (transcendental) forms of consciousness in unconsciousness,