Page:The Mesnevī (Volume 2).pdf/175

 Inasmuch as the beggar is the mirror of Bounty, take care! Breath is hurtful to the face of the mirror.

In the one case, his (the giver's) bounty makes the beggar manifest (causes him to beg), while in the other case he (the giver), (without being asked), bestows on the beggars more (than they need).

Beggars, then, are the mirror of God's bounty, and they that are with God are (united with) the Absolute Bounty;

And every one except those two (types of beggar) is truly a dead man: he is not at this door (the Divine Court), he is (lifeless as) a picture (embroidered) on a curtain.

The difference between one that is poor for (desirous of) God and thirsting for Him and one that is poor of (destitute of) God and thirsting for what is other than He.

He (that seeks other than God) is the (mere) picture of a dervish, he is not worthy of bread (Divine bounty): do not throw bread to the picture of a dog!

He wants a morsel of food, he does not want God: do not set dishes before a lifeless picture!

The dervish that wants bread is a land-fish: (he has) the form of a fish, but (he is) fleeing from the sea.

He is a domestic fowl, not the Símurgh of the air: he swallows sweet morsels (of food), he does not eat from God.

He loves God for the sake of gain: his soul is not in love with (God's) excellence and beauty.

If he conceives that he is in love with the Essence (of God), conception of the (Divine) names and attributes is not the Essence.

Conception is begotten of qualities and definition: God is not begotten, He is lam yúlad.

How should he that is in love with his own imagination and conception be one of them that love the Lord of bounties?

If the lover of that (false) conception be sincere, that metaphor (unreal judgement) will lead him to the reality.

The exposition of this saying demands a commentary, but I am afraid of senile (feeble) minds.

Senile and short-sighted minds bring a hundred evil fancies into their thoughts.

Not every one is able to hear rightly: the fig is not a morsel for every little bird,

Especially a bird that is dead, putrid; a blind, eyeless (fellow) filled with vain fancy.

To the picture of a fish what is the difference between sea and land? To the colour of a Hindoo what is the difference between soap and black vitriol?