From the state of infidelity to that of faith is but a breath,
And from a state of doubt to that of certainty is but a breath,
Hold thou dear this one precious moment,
For of the outcome of our being there is but a moment.
Ref.: C. 19, L. 131, B. 127, S.P. 20, B. ii. 22, T. 20.—W. 24, N. 20, V. 130.
My Heart said to me: «I have a longing for inspired knowledge,
Teach me if thou art able,»
I said the Alif. My Heart said: «Say no more.
If One is in the house, one letter is enough.»[59]
Ref.: O. 28.—W. 109.
Whose secret Presence, through Creation's veins
Running Quicksilver-like eludes your pains;
Taking all shapes from Mah to Mahi; and
They change and perish all—but He remains;
In this quatrain FitzGerald has made a masterly conversion of C. 72.
That Moon which is by nature skilled in metamorphosis
Is sometimes animal and sometimes vegetable,
Do not imagine that it will become non-existent—away with thought!
It is always possessed of its essence though its qualities cease to be.[60]
Ref.: C. 72, L. 179, B. 176, S.P. 73, B. ii. 31, T. 51.—W. 75, N. 73, V. 175.
C. 40 may also be cited.