Like a bachelor at the door of a bath of females.’
The company, having thus been apprised of his famished condition, produced a table with bread but as he began to eat greedily the host said: ‘Friend, at any rate stop a while till my servants roast some minced meat’; whereon the dervish lifted his head and recited:
‘Do not order pounded meat for my table.
To a pounded man simple bread is pounded meat.’
I saw that boundless awe of me had taken root in their hearts but thatthey had no full confidence in my promises, wherefore I apprehendedthat they, fearing calamities would befall them, might attempt my lifeand I acted according to the maxim of sages who have said:‘Dread him who dreads thee, O sage,Although thou couldst cope…
That thou mayest behold therein the light of marifet.Thou art empty of wisdom for the reasonThat thou art replete with food up to the nose.
Be silent when I blame thee.
Because his ill-humour will crush thy hopes.If thou confidest thy heart’s grief, tell it to oneWhose face will comfort thee like ready cash.
It is licit to put the hand to the sword.
And ask not what thou knowest will not elicit a good reply.
