At last the haughty monarch said...

At last the haughty monarch said: "You shall have to recite a few verses of poetry, then, in any tone you like". This crude and ridiculous behavior would have maddened any ordinary person, but the dignified Imam remained undisturbed and sought to do what he was compelled to.

He turned the ruler's order for recitation of poetry into an opportunity for preaching, and he recited the following verses with a firm and impressive tone: The glories of our blood and stat, Are shadows, not substantial things. There is no armor against the fate; Death lays its icy…