Abids, or the pious, seek a reward of their devotion, merchants a profit
on their traffic. I, a devoted servant, have brought hope, not
obedience, and have come as a beggar, and not for lucre!--_Do unto me
what is worthy of thyself; but deal not with me as I myself have
deserved_.--Whether thou wilt slay me or pardon my offence, my head and
face are prostrate at thy threshold. Thy servant has no will of his own;
whatever thou commandest, that he will perform. At the door of the Cabah
I saw a petitioner, who was praying and weeping bitterly. I ask not,
saying, "Approve of my obedience, but draw the pen of forgiveness across
my sins."


III

Within the sanctuary of the Cabah, at Mecca, I saw Abd-u'l-cadur the
Gilani, who having laid his face upon the Hasa, or black stone, was
saying, "Spare and pardon me, O God! and if, at all events, I am doomed
to punishment, raise me up at the day of resurrection blindfolded, that
I may not be put to shame in the eyes of the righteous." Every morning
when the day begins to dawn, with my face in the dust of humility, I am
saying, "O thou, whom I never can forget, dost thou ever bestow a
thought on thy servant?"


IV

A thief got into a holy man's cell; but, however much he searched, he
could find nothing to steal, and was going away disappointed. The good
soul was aware of what was passing, and taking up the rug on which he
had slept, he put it in his way that he might not miss his object.--I