Pearls of the Faith: Or Islam's Rosary, Being Ninety-Nine Beautiful Manes of Allah With Comments in Verse From Various Oriental Sources (Sir Edwin Arnold's Poetical Works)

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1883 edition. Excerpt: ... He quickeneth, but " He killeth:" blessed they Who may abide in trust that final day! Yea! some have found right good to hear the summons of their Lord, And gone as glad as warriors proud, who take up spear and sword At sounding of the song of fight; as light of heart as those For whom the bride unveileth her mouth of pearl and rose. Jelalu-'d-'Din, Er-Rumi, the saint of Balkh, the son Of him surnamed " Flower of the Faith," this was a chosen one, To whom Death softly showed himself, Heaven's gentle call to give; For what word is it bids us die, save that which made us live? Sick lay he there in Konya; 'twas dawn; the golden stream Of light, new springing in the east, on his thin lips did gleam-- Those lips which spake the praise of God all through his holy years, And murmured now, with faith and hope unchanged, the morning prayers. Then one who watched beside his bed, heard at the inner gate A voice cry, "Aftah !' open!' from far I come, and wait To speak my message to Jela.1--a message that will bring Peace and reward to him who lies the Fdtihah murmuring." Thereat the watcher drew the bar which closed the chamber-door, Wondering and 'feared, for ne'er was heard upon this earth before Accents so sweet and comforting, nor ever eyes of men Saw presence so majestical as his who entered then. Entered with gliding footsteps a bright celestial youth, Splendid and strange in beauty, past words to speak its truth; Midnight is not so dark and deep as was his solemn gaze, By love and pity lighted, as the night with silvery rays. "What is thy name?" the watcher asked, " that I may tell my lord, t Thou fair and dreadful messenger! whose glance is as a sword; Whose face is like the Heaven unveiled; whose tender searching voice Maketh the heart...