Abstain from all reproaching, ✿ An he joy or vex thy sprite:
Seest not that what thou lovest ✿ And what hatest go unite?
That joys of longer life-tide ✿ Ever fade with hair turned white?
That thorns on branches growing ✿ For the pluckt fruit catch thy sight?
Who never hath done evil, ✿ Doing good for sole delight?
When tried the sons of worldli- ✿ ness they mostly work unright.
(Quoth Ibrahim), Now when I heard these couplets, I withdrew my woman’s veil from my head and cried out, with my loudest voice, “Allah is Most Great! By Allah, the Commander of the Faithful pardoneth me!” Quoth he, “No harm shall come to thee, O uncle;” and I rejoined, “O Commander of the Faithful, my sin is too sore for me to excuse it and thy mercy is too much for me to speak thanks for it.” And I chanted these couplets to a lively motive:—
Who made all graces all collected He ✿ In Adam’s loins, our Seventh Imam, for thee;[[160]]
Thou hast the hearts of men with reverence filled, ✿ Enguarding all with heart-humility;
Rebelled I never by delusion whelmed ✿ For object other than thy clemency;[[161]]