2980. If thou art enraged by every blow, then how wilt thou become a (clear) mirror without being polished?

How the man of Qazwín was tattooing the figure of a lion in blue on his shoulders, and (then) repenting because of the (pain of the) needle-pricks.

2981. Hear from the narrator this story about the way and custom of the people of Qazwín.

2982. They tattoo themselves in blue with the point of a needle on body and hand and shoulders, so as to suffer no injury.

2983. A certain man of Qazwín went to a barber and said, “Tattoo me (and) do it charmingly (artistically).”

2984. “O valiant sir,” said he, “what figure shall I tattoo?” He answered, “Prick in the figure of a furious lion.

2985. Leo is my ascendant: tattoo the form of a lion. Exert yourself, prick in plenty of the blue dye.”

2986. “On what place,” he asked, “shall I tattoo you?” Said he, “Prick the design of the beauty on my shoulder-blade.”

2987. As soon as he began to stick in the needle, the pain of it settled in the shoulder,

2988. And the hero fell a-moaning—“O illustrious one, you have killed me: what figure are you tattooing?”

2989. “Why,” said he, “you bade me do a lion.” “What limb (of the lion),” asked the other, “did you begin with?”

2990. “I have begun at the tail,” said he. “O my dear friend,” he cried, “leave out the tail!

2991. My breath is stopped by the lion's tail and rump: his rump has tightly closed (choked) my windpipe.

2992. Let the lion be without a tail, O lion-maker, for my heart is faint from the blows of the prong (the tattooer's needle).”

2993. That person commenced to prick in (the blue) on another part (of the man's shoulder) without fear, without favour, without mercy.

2994. He yelled—“Which of his members is this?” “This is his ear, my good man,” the barber replied.

2995. “O Doctor,” said he, “let him have no ears: omit the ears and cut the frock short.”

2996. The barber began to insert (his needle) in another part: once more the man of Qazwín set out to wail.

2997. Saying, “What is the member (you are pricking in) now on this third spot?” He replied, “This is the lion's belly, my dear sir.”

2998. “Let the lion have no belly,” said he: “what need of a belly for the picture that is (already) sated?”

2999. The barber became distraught and remained in great bewilderment: he stood for a long time with his fingers in his teeth.

3000. Then the master flung the needle to the ground and said, “Has this happened to any one in the world?

3001. Who (ever) saw a lion without tail and head and belly? God himself did not create a lion like this.” 3002. O brother, endure the pain of the lancet, that you may escape from the poison of your miscreant self (nafs).

3008. What is (the meaning of) to exalt and glorify God? To deem yourself despicable and (worthless) as dust.

3009. What is (the meaning of) to learn the knowledge of God's unity? To consume yourself in the presence of the One.

3010. If you wish to shine like day, burn up your night-like self-existence.

3011. Melt away your existence, as copper (melts away) in the elixir, in the being of Him who fosters (and sustains) existence.

3012. You have fastened both your hands tight on (are determined not to give up) “I” and “we”: all this (spiritual) ruin is caused by dualism.

How the wolf and fox went to hunt in attendance on the lion.

3013. A lion, wolf, and fox had gone to hunt in the mountains in quest (of food).

3015. And all three together might seize much and great quarry in that deep wilderness.

3016. Although the fierce lion was ashamed of them (the wolf and fox), yet he did them honour and gave them his company on the way.

3017. To a king like this the (escort of) soldiers are an annoyance, but he accompanied them: a united party is a mercy (from God).

3018. A moon like this is disgraced by the stars: it is amongst the stars for generosity's sake.

3019. The (Divine) command, Consult them, came to the Prophet, though no counsel is to be compared with his own.

3020. In the scales barley has become the companion of gold, (but that is) not because barley has become a substance like gold.

3021. The spirit has now become the body's fellow-traveller: the dog has become for a time the guardian of the palace-gate.

3022. When this party (the wolf and fox) went to the mountains at the stirrup (side) of the lion majestic and grand.

3023. They found a mountain-ox and goat and fat hare, and their business went forward (prosperously).

3024. Whoever is on the heels of him that is a lion in combat, roast-meat does not fail him by day or by night.

3025. When they brought them (the animals which they had caught) from the mountains to the jungle, killed and wounded and dragging along in (streams of) blood.

3026. The wolf and fox hoped that a division (of the prey) would be made according to the justice of emperors.

3027. The reflexion of the hope of both of them struck the lion: the lion knew (what was) the ground for those hopes.

3028. Any one that is the lion and prince of (spiritual) mysteries, he will know all that the conscience thinks.

3029. Beware! Guard thyself, O heart disposed to thinking, from any evil thought in his presence.

3030. He knows and keeps riding on silently: he smiles in thy face in order to mask (his feelings).

3031. When the lion perceived their bad ideas, he did not declare (his knowledge), and paid (courteous) regard (to them) at the time.

3032. But he said to himself, “I will show you what (chastisement) ye deserve, O beggarly villains!

3033. Was my judgement not enough for you? Is this your opinion of my bounty.

3034. O ye whose understanding and judgement are (derived) from my judgement and from my world-adorning gifts?

3035. What else (but good) should the picture think of the painter, since he bestowed thought and knowledge upon it?

3036. Had ye such a vile opinion of me, O ye who are a scandal to the world?

3037. I will strike off the hypocritical heads of them that think ill of God.

3038. I will deliver the Sphere (of Time) from your disgrace, so that this tale shall remain in the world (as a warning).”

3039. While thus meditating, the lion continued to smile visibly: do not trust the smiles of the lion!

3040. Worldly wealth is (like) the smiles of God: it has made us drunken and vainglorious and threadbare (deprived of the means of salvation).

3041. Poverty and distress are better for thee, O lord, for (then) that smile will remove its lure.

How the lion made trial of the wolf and said, “Come forward, O wolf, and divide the prey amongst us.”

3042. The lion said, “O wolf, divide this (prey): O old wolf, make justice new (give it new life by thy example).

3043. Be my deputy in the office of distributor, that it may be seen of what substance thou art.”

3044. “O King,” said he, “the wild ox is thy share: he is big, and thou art big and strong and active.

3045. The goat is mine, for the goat is middle and intermediate; do thou, O fox, receive the hare, and no mistake!”

3046. The lion said, “O wolf, how hast thou spoken? Say! When I am here, dost thou speak of ‘I’ and ‘thou’?

3047. Truly, what a cur the wolf must be, that he regarded himself in the presence of a lion like me who am peerless and unrivalled!”

3048. (Then) he said, “Come forward, O thou self-esteeming ass!” He approached him, the lion seized him with his claws and rent him.

3049. Inasmuch as he (the lion) did not see in him the kernel of right conduct, he tore the skin off his head as a punishment.

3050. He said, “Since the sight of me did not transport thee out of thyself, a spirit like this (thine) must needs die miserably.

3051. Since thou wert not passing away (from thyself) in my presence, ’twas an act of grace to smite thy neck (behead thee).”

3052. Everything is perishing except His face: unless thou art in His face (essence), do not seek to exist.

3053. When any one has passed away (from himself) in my face (essence), (the words) everything is perishing are not applicable (to him).

3055. Whosoever is uttering ‘I’ and ‘we’ at the door (of the Divine Court), he is turned back from the door and is continuing in not (nonentity).

The story of the person who knocked at a friend's door: his friend from within asked who he was: he said, “’Tis I,” and thefriend answered, “Since thou art thou, I will not open the door: I know not any friend that is ‘I.’” 3056. A certain man came and knocked at a friend's door: his friend asked him, “Who art thou, O trusty one?”

3057. He answered, “I.” The friend said, “Begone, ’tis not the time (for thee to come in): at a table like this there is no place for the raw.”

3058. Save the fire of absence and separation, who (what) will cook the raw one? Who (what) will deliver him from hypocrisy?

3059. The wretched man went away, and for a year in travel (and) in separation from his friend he was burned with sparks of fire.

3060. That burned one was cooked: then he returned and again paced to and fro beside the house of his comrade.

3061. He knocked at the door with a hundred fears and respects, lest any disrespectful word might escape from his lips.

3062. His friend called to him, “Who is at the door?” He answered, “’Tis thou art at the door, O charmer of hearts.”

3063. “Now,” said the friend, “since thou art I, come in, O myself: there is not room in the house for two I's.

3064. The double end of thread is not for the needle: inasmuch as thou art single, come into this needle.”

3065. ’Tis the thread that is connected with the needle: the eye of the needle is not suitable for the camel.

Description of Unification.

3077. His friend said to him, “Come in, O thou who art entirely myself, not different like the rose and thorn in the garden.”

3100. The (Divine) Command KuN (Be) was a single act, and the (two letters) N and K occurred (only) in speech, while the (inward) meaning was pure (uncompounded).

3078. The thread has become single. Do not now fall into error if thou seest that the letters K and N (kalf and noon) are two.’

3079. K and N (kalf and noon) are pulling like a noose, that they may draw non-existence into great affairs.

3080. Hence the noose must be double in (the world of) forms, though those two (letters) are single in effect.

3081. Whether the feet be two or four, they traverse one road, like the double shears (which) makes (but) one cut.

3082. Look at those two fellow-washermen: there is apparently a difference between that one and this:

8083. The one has thrown the cotton garments into the water, while the other partner is drying them.

3084. ’tis as though he were spitefully thwarting his opposite;

3085. Yet these two opposites, who seem to be at strife, are of one mind and acting together in agreement.

3101. This discourse hath no end. Return, that (we may see) what happened to the wolf in combat (with the lion).

How the lion punished the wolf who had shown disrespect in dividing (the prey).

3102. That haughty one tore off the head of the wolf, in order that two-headedness (dualism) and distinction might not remain (in being).

3103. Tis (the meaning of) So we took vengeance on them, O old wolf, inasmuch as thou wert not dead in the presence of the Amír.

3104. After that, the lion turned to the fox and said, “Divide it (the prey) for breakfast.”

3105. He bowed low and said, “This fat ox will be thy food at breakfast, O excellent King.

3106. And this goat will be a portion reserved for the victorious King at midday,

3107. And the hare too for supper—(to be) the repast at nightfall of the gracious and bountiful King.”

3108. Said the lion, “O fox, thou hast made justice shine forth: from whom didst thou learn to divide in such a manner?

3109. Whence didst thou learn this, O eminent one?” “O King of the world,” he replied, “(I learned it) from the fate of the wolf.”

3110. The lion said, “Inasmuch as thou hast become pledged to love of me, pick up all the three (animals), and take (them) and depart.

3111. O fox, since thou hast become entirely mine, how should I hurt thee when thou hast become myself?

3112. I am thine, and all the beasts of chase are thine: set thy foot on the Seventh Heaven and mount (beyond)!

3113. Since thou hast taken warning from (the fate of) the vile wolf, thou art not a fox: thou art my own lion.

3156. The beauteous face is in love with the mirror: it (such a face) is a polisher of the soul and (a kindler) of the fear of God in (men's) hearts.