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Firefly and Bird |
Early one Evening the sweet voice was heard,
As it sat on a twig, of a carolling bird. |
When it spied something glittering there on the ground
It flew to the place and a firefly it found. |
The firefly said: “Bird of the musical charm,
Take your sharp beak away: do a poor one no harm, |
Allah granted you song and gave the flower scent:
That same Allah to me did my lustre present. |
My being is hidden in garments of light,
The zenith of creatures that flutter in flight. |
If your dulcet note has of Heaven the ear,
The eye of that Heaven sees my gleaming clear. |
While Nature with sparkle did cover my wing
It gave you the song that charms hearts when you sing. |
It instructed yours beak in all musical grace
And made me the torch of the garden’s space. |
Flashing it gave you: to me it gave voice.
My portion is radiance: in song you rejoice. |
Radiance and song in this world are not foes;
They cling to each other in harmony close. |
Creation’s firm frame is compact of the two:
All heights and all depths are to both alike due. |
They mingle together to make every thing;
In this garden from both comes the beauty of spring.” |
Translated by: H.T. Sorley |
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