water and earth, trees and cattle. Their throne also is great. And it seemed to me sublime. 'I saw also the souls of artisans seated on embellished thrones. And it seemed to me sublime. 'I saw the souls of the faithful, the teachers and inquirers, in the greatest gladness on a splendid throne. And it seemed to me sublime. 'I also saw the friendly souls of interceders and peace-seekers, who ever increased thereby their brilliance, and they ever walked happily in the light of the atmosphere. 'I also saw the pre-eminent world of the religious, which is the light, full of glory and every joy, with which no one is satiated.' DCXXXVII. The Beauty of Actions. In paradise I beheld one departed from earth, over whom a spirit sang, 'Well is he by whom that which is his benefit becomes the benefit of another.' Then in the dawn the soul of that departed one passed amid pleasant trees, whose fragrance was wafted from God. And there met him a beautiful maiden, whose form and face were charming to heart and soul. To her he said, 'Who art thou, than whom none so fair was ever seen by me in the land of the living.' The maiden replied, 'O youth, I am thy actions.' Ardá-Víráf. DCXXXVIII. Character. On the bathing-tub of K'ang the following words were engraved :-'If you can, renovate yourself each day.' Chinese. Mencius. All things are contained complete in ourselves. The Four selves and become perfect. Books.' The human figure and colour possess a divine nature, but it is only the sage who can fulfil what his nature promises. The superior man's nature consists in this, that benevolence, justice, propriety, and wisdom, have their root in his heart, and are exhibited in his countenance. They shine forth in his face and go through to his back. They are manifested in his four members. His errors are like the eclipses of the sun and moon. His errors all men see, and his reformation all men look for. Wherever the superior man passes, renovation takes place. The divine spirit which he cherishes above and below, flows on with influence in heaven and earth. DCXXXIX. Heb. comp. Circumstance. I saw under the sun That the race is not to the swift, Nor yet riches to men of understanding, For time and chance happeneth to them all. In the morning sow thou thy seed, And in the evening withhold not thy hand : SORROW AND DEATH. DCXL. Shadows. Persian. Bóstán. Vines hold not their clusters all the year; now are they fruitful, and now they shed their leaves like tears. Sadi Like the sun, the pure are clouded. On them the Ab. envious crowd may hurl its hate; but it is as sparks falling on the clear stream-the sparks perish, the water goes shining on. Fear not the dark, friend; perchance the Water of Life may be found in the dark abyss of sorrow. Let not thy gloom end in despair; for night is pregnant with the day. In Suna my child's life passed away. How can I tell the sadness of that hour! It is not strange the rose should spring up from the earth where so many roselike forms sleep. In my agony I longed to behold once more my buried child, and tore the heavy stone from above its form. Then fear seized upon me, and a little voice came from beneath the shroud, 'Dost thou feel terror amid this darkness? Let then thy life brighten it. If thou wouldst have thy grave as light as day, let the lamp of life fed by virtue descend with thee to illumine it I' DCXLI. Amir Khus Vihilgy. Sorrow. He who has seen no evil and sorrow Persian. comp. Heb. Sorrow. DCXLII. Destiny will not be altered by our uttering a thousand lamentations and sighs, nor by our praises. O brother who art in distress! be not disheartened; for God hath many hidden mercies. Repine not at the versatility of fortune; for patience is bitter, but the fruit is sweet. Dejection. DCXLIII. As the hart panteth after water-brooks, My soul thirsteth for God, for the living God : While daily it is said to me, 'Where is thy God?' These things I remember, and pour out my soul within me. Deep calleth to deep at the sound of thy waterspouts : All thy waves and thy billows pass over me. |