Title: Winter Scene, Gloversville
How could I ever thank my Friend?No thanks could ever begin to be worthy.Every hair of my body is a gift from Him;How could I thank Him for each hair?Praise that lavish Lord foreverWho from nothing conjures all living beings!Who could ever describe His goodness?His infinite glory lays all praise waste.Look, He has graced you a robe of splendor>From childhood's first cries to old age!He made you pure in His own image; stay pure.It is horrible to die blackened by sin.Never let dust settle on your mirror's shining;Let it once grow dull and it will never polish.When you work in the world to earn your livingDo not, for one moment, rely on your own strength.Self-worshiper, don't you understand anything yet?It is God alone that gives your arms their power.If, by your striving, you achieve something good,Don't claim the credit all for yourself;It is fate that decides who wins and who losesAnd all success streams only from the grace of God.In this world you never stand by your own strength;It is the Invisible that sustains you every moment.
Saadi, translation by Andrew Harvey and Eryk Hanut - 'Perfume of the Desert'
No comments:
Post a Comment