To him the fire: “O miscreant! I’m still the same. Come in and try, thou, how thou’lt find my smallest flame. My nature, as my substance, has not suffered change. Outside my nature’s limit I’ve no power to range. At door of Turkman’s tent the savage household dogs Do wag their tails before a guest, and crouch like logs. But should a stranger pass by, near the guarded tent, Him then those dogs assail, with lion-like intent. 100 Less than a dog I’m not, in service to my Lord. Than Turkman less, there’s none, in rights, upon earth’s sward.”
When fire thy body injures, and inflicts some harm; Remember, its consuming power can also warm. And when a fire thus serves thee, acts some needful part, Reflect! Those qualities thou seest did God impart. Art injured, ’haps? Fall down; entreat the Lord with prayer. The hurtful power was given by Him in gracious care. Should He so will, each injury a blessing is. Chained captives find their freedom by a word of His. 105
Fire, air, earth, water, all are servants of their God. I, thou, them lifeless deem. He knows they live and plod. In presence of the great Creator fire must still Its service do; and, lover-like, work out His will. Thou strikest flint on steel; fire instantly leaps forth. ’Tis by commandment of the Lord it thus takes birth. Strike not together, thou, the flint and steel of lust. For, male and female like, they’ll generate; they must.
The flint and steel are means. Far higher raise thy look. With reason thou’rt endowed. Go; read the holy book. 110 One means comes from another means; and cause from cause. Without a means or cause, no means from self e’er rose. The means by which all prophets’ miracles are wrought, Of higher order are than earthly means; no doubt. Man’s mind can compass how these latter act, and when; The former hidden are from all but prophet’s ken. These former ’tis that give the latter power to act; And rarely, that, their normal action, counteract.
A means a rope is, by the help of which we reach; And in this worldly pit by means each reaches each. 115 Around its coiling cylinder the well-rope’s wound. To shut our eyes to this would blind indeed be found. The ropes by means of which results are seen to steer, In this our world, deem not they’re moved by star or sphere; Lest thou become confused and giddy like a wheel;— Take fire, consume, like tinder, sparks of shame to feel.