Emperor Alamgir and the tiger

Shah Alamgir, that high and mighty king, Pride and renown of Gurgan Timur’s line,

In whom Islam attained a loftier fame And wider honour graced the Prophet’s Law,

He the last arrow to our quiver left In the affray of Faith with Unbelief;

When that the impious seed of heresy, By Akbar nourished, sprang and sprouted fresh In Dara’s soul

the candle of the heart Was dimmed in every breast, no more secure Against corruption our community Continued;

then God chose from India That humble-minded warrior, Alamgir,

Religion to revive, faith to renew.

The lightning of his sword set all ablaze The harvest of impiety; faith’s torch Once more its radiance o’er our counsels shed.

Many the tales misguided spirits told, Blind to the breadth of his percipient mind;

He was a moth that ever beat its wings About the candle-flame of Unity, An Abraham in India’s idol-house.

In all the line of kings he stands alone; His tomb is witness to his saintliness.

One day that ornament of crown and throne, That lord of battle, saint and emperor,

Set forth into the jungle with the dawn Attended by one faithful follower;

Exultant in the joyous breath of morn, Birds sang their hymns to God on every tree.

The conscient king became absorbed in prayer, Striking his tent from this contingent world To pitch it in the realm of truth sublime.

A tiger at that instant from the plain Suddenly sprang; heaven trembled at his roar;

Scenting afar the presence of a man, He leaped on Alamgir, and smote his loins.

The king, unviewing, drew his dagger forth And rent the belly of the furious beast;

His heart admitting not a thought of fear, He stretched the tiger prostrate at his feet,

Then sped again impatiently to God Mounting prayer’s ladder to his heavenly throne.

A heart so humble and at once so proud No other lodge but the believer’s breast Possesses;

for the servitor of Truth Is naught before his Master, but stand firm Against Untruth, and positive indeed.

Thou too, O ignorant man, take such a heart Into thy hold; let it a litter be Wherein immortal Beauty may be borne.

Stake self, to win self back; spread out the snare Of supplication, glory to entrap;

Let Love set fire to pale Anxiety; Be thou God’s fox, to learn the tiger’s trade

The fear of God faith’s only preface is, All other fear is secret disbelief.