Secure this will thee make.

Secure this will thee make. "Consult thou them;" 1 but then, do not what they advise; For he who them opposes not, to ruin hies. Lend not thyself to lust and fancy's every wind; For these are what lead men astray; to God's truth blind. There's nothing in the world that better curbs the lusts, 25 Than holy company. Protected, he who trusts. The Prophet said to ‘Alī: "Cousin, list to me. The 'Lion of the Truth' 1 art thou; a hero. See!

Trust not too much, however, to thy courage, sole; Confide, much rather, on God's aim to keep thee whole. Put faith in aid from His divine, omniscient mind, That never can be baffled by disputant blind. His shadow on the earth is what keeps it in place; His spirit, sunbird-like, soars in supernal space. Were I to speak His praises until judgment day, 30 No end, no interruption, would admit my say. Himself He's veiled in man, as sun behind a cloud. This seek to comprehend.

God knows what mysteries shroud. The sun He is;-the sun of spirit, not of sky; By light from Him man lives;-and angels eke, forby. Then, ‘Ali, of all service man can offer here, Do thou choose trust in God, dependence firm, sincere. Each man betakes himself some special worship to; And each some special friend selects, without ado. Do thou take refuge in God's wisdom, full, divine; 35 He'll foil the secret foe that would thee undermine.

Of all the modes of worship, this choose thou, the best; Thou’lt distance all competitors, the prize thou’lt wrest. Thy Teacher having chosen thus, obedience yield, Implicit; even as Moses journeying o’er that field. 2 Whate’er events betide, beware, and question not; For fear thy guide should turn, and drive thee from the spot. 3 Should He destroy a ship, 4-no murmur from thy mouth; Should He an infant choke, 5-let slip no word uncouth.

God hath declared his hand is like the hand of God, By saying: "God's right hand above all hands doth plod.' 1 40 God's hand it is that kills him; makes him living, too. But what is living? The everlasting spirit. Lo! Whoever journeys, now and then, this road alone, The prayers of saints it is leads him to safety's zone. A saint's protection is not less than angel's aid; His help is God's right hand, when all is truly said.

Now, if an absent saint have such portentous power, A present Teacher's honour sure must higher tower. If for the absent tempting viands are prepared, For present guests what may not largely be outshared?