The wisdom of the heart sustains and elevates...

The wisdom of the heart sustains and elevates; But knowledge sensuously acquired as burden rates. ’Tis God hath said: "An ass with volumes for his load." 3 So knowledge is a burden, when not of God's code. All science not received from word of God direct, Hath no endurance; paint it is; our eyes detect. Still, if man bear his burden well, he's recompensed; 25 His burden is removed; ease to him is dispensed.

See, then, you bear not science' load from fleshly lust; Lest you should suffer inwardly fatigue,-disgust; But mount the agile steed of sacred lore divine; So shall the burden on your back at once decline. Unless you drink His cup, how ’scape from fleshly lust? O you, who, in His name, content are with the Just! When from His name and attributes some inkling's born, This inkling points the road to union one fair morn.

Thou’st never known a guide, but some one must be led; 30 And when no road is travelled, gnome can't dog man's tread. Thou’st never heard a name, but indicates a thing; A flower thou’st never plucked from verbal rosa's ding. Hast thou pronounced a name? Straightway the thing ensue. The moon seek in the sky;-not in lake-waters, blue. But wouldst thou cast aside all names and words, as vain, Thyself, then, purge of self. Abstraction thou shalt gain. Wouldst be a sword?

Cast off soft iron's yield refined; By discipline the mirror burnish of thy mind. Discharge thyself of every particle of self; 35 So shalt thou see thyself pure, free from soil of pelf. Within thy heart thou’st see the wisdom of the saints, Without a book, a teacher, or professor's plaints. The Prophet said: "That man is one of my true flock, Whose heart and mind are hewn from my own calling's rock.

His soul perceives me through the selfsame holy light That unto me reveals his soul serenely bright. Reports, traditions, chains of evidence, are lost; When soul communes with soul, minds freely can accost." This riddle solve: "A Kurd I last night was, by birth; And then, this morning, Arab am, by afterbirth." 1 40 If one, sincere, a Kurdish boor was overnight, Sincerity an Arab made him by daylight. Example seekest of science springing in the heart? This contest heed of Chinaman and Roman's art.

2 The Chinese urged they had the greater painter's skill. The Romans pleaded they of art the throne did fill. The sovereign heard them both; decreed a contest fair; Results the palm should give the worthiest of the pair.