The Wisdom of Ali

THE Prophet once, sitting in calm debate, Said : " I am Wisdom s fortress ; but the gate Thereof is Ali." Wherefore, some who heard, With unbelieving jealousy were stirred ; And, that they might on him confusion bring, Ten of the boldest joined to prove the thing. " Let us in turn to Ali go," they said, " And ask if Wisdom should be sought instead Of earthly riches ; then, if he reply To each of us, in thought, accordantly, And yet to none, in speech or phrase, the same, His shall the honor be, and ours the shame."

Now, when the first his bold demand did make, These were the words which Ali straightway spake " Wisdom is the inheritance of those Whom Allah favors ; riches, of his foes."

Unto the second he said : " Thyself must be Guard to thy wealth ; but Wisdom guardeth thee."

Unto the third : " By Wisdom wealth is won ; But riches purchased wisdom yet for none."

Unto the fourth : " Thy goods the thief may take ; But into Wisdom s house he cannot break."

Unto the fifth : " Thy goods decrease the more Thou giv st ; but use enlarges Wisdom s store."

Unto the sixth : " Wealth tempts to evil ways ; But the desire of Wisdom is God s praise."

Unto the seventh : " Divide thy wealth, each part Becomes a pittance. Give with open heart Thy wisdom, and each separate gift shall be All that thou hast, yet not impoverish thee."

Unto the eighth : " Wealth cannot keep itself ; But Wisdom is the steward even of pelf." Unto the ninth : " The camels slowly bring

Thy goods ; but Wisdom has the swallow s wing."

And lastly, when the tenth did question make, These were the ready words which Ali spake : " Wealth is a darkness which the soul should fear ; But Wisdom is the lamp that makes it clear."

Crimson with shame the questioners withdrew,

And they declared: "The Prophet s words were

true ;

The mouth of Ali is the golden door Of Wisdom."

When his friends to Ali bore These words, he smiled and said : " And should they ask

The same until my dying day, the task Were easy ; for the stream from Wisdom's well, Which God supplies, is inexhaustible."