So that his silence stamped him with the badge
Of hanger-on or menial of this haj.
Thrust as he would with much unseemly din,
He found no place beside the palanquin,
Till Seyid Rida, scholar of Nejaf,
Took pity on him, saying: "You shall laugh
At these black days when, having served your time,
You share the sovereignty of Persian rhyme.
Be patient, pray to Allah, O my son,
For power of worship. It shall come anon...."