{"collection":"Islam","html_url":"https://unchartedknowledge.5gfusion.net/browse/isl/saab/saab32.htm","path":"isl/saab/saab32.htm","source_url":"https://sacred-texts.com/isl/saab/saab32.htm","text":"Salaman and Absal, by Jami, tr. Edward Fitzgerald, [1904]\nThe Incomparable Creator, when this World\n He did create, created First of All\n The First Intelligence\u2014First of a Chain\n Of Ten Intelligences, of which the Last\n Sole Agent is in this our Universe,\n Active Intelligence so call\u2019d; The One\n Distributor of Evil and of Good,\n Of Joy and Sorrow, Himself apart from Matter,\n In Essence and in Energy\u2014his Treasure\n Subject to no such Talisman\u2014He yet\n Hath fashion\u2019d all that is\u2014Material Form,\n And Spiritual, sprung from Him\u2014by Him\n Directed all, and in his Bounty drown\u2019d.\n Therefore is He that Firm\u00e1n-issuing Shah\n To whom the World was subject. But because\n What He distributes to the Universe\n Himself from still a Higher Power receives,\n The Wise, and all who comprehend aright,\n Will recognise that Higher in The Sage.\nHis the Prime Spirit that, spontaneously\n Projected by the Tenth Intelligence,\n Was from no Womb of Matter reproduced\n A Special Essence called The Soul\u2014a Child\n Fresh sprung from Heaven in Raiment undefiled\n Of Sensual Taint, and therefore call\u2019d Sal\u00e1m\u00e1n.\nAnd who Abs\u00e1l\u2014The Lust-adoring Body,\n Slave to the Blood and Sense\u2014through whom The Soul,\n Although the Body's very Life it be,\n Does yet imbibe the Knowledge and Desire\n Of Things of Sense; and these united thus\n By such a Tie God only can unloose,\n Body and Soul are Lovers Each of other.\nWhat is The Sea on which they sail\u2019d?\u2014The Sea\n Of Animal Desire\u2014the Sensual Abyss,\n Under whose Waters lie a World of Being\n Swept far from God in that Submersion.\nAnd wherefore was it Aiwa in that Isle\n Deceived in her Delight, and that Sal\u00e1m\u00e1n\n Fell short of his Desire?\u2014That was to show\n How Passion tires, and how with Time begins\n The Folding of the Carpet of Desire\nAnd what the turning of Sal\u00e1m\u00e1n's Heart\n Back to The Shah, and looking to the Throne\n Of Pomp and Glory? What but the Return\n Of the Lost Soul to its true Parentage,\n And back from Carnal Error looking up\n Repentant to its Intellectual Throne.\nWhat is The Fire?\u2014Ascetic Discipline,\n That burns away the Animal Alloy,\n Till all the Dross of Matter be consumed,\n And the Essential Soul, its raiment clean\n Of Mortal Taint, be left. But forasmuch\n As any Life-long Habit so consumed,\n May well recur a Pang for what is lost,\n Therefore The Sage set in Sal\u00e1m\u00e1n's Eyes\n A Soothing Fantom of the Past, but still\n Told of a Better Venus, till his Soul\n She fill\u2019d, and blotted out his Mortal Love.\n For what is Zuhrah?\u2014That Divine Perfection,\n Wherwith the Soul inspir\u2019d and all array\u2019d\n In Intellectual Light is Royal blest,\n And mounts The Throne, and wears\n The Crown, and Reigns\n Lord of the Empire of Humanity.\nThis is the Meaning of This Mystery\n Which to know wholly ponder in thy Heart,\n Till all its ancient Secret be enlarged.\n Enough\u2014The written Summary I close,\n And set my Seal:\nThe Truth God only Knows.","title":"Salaman and Absal: Sal\u00e1m\u00e1n and Abs\u00e1l...","type":"page"}