413 CONCLUSION. 



tliis Dovecote (Dhabli) of the bosom to hunger after the 

 delight of seeing Him, that it might gather from the Feeding- 

 court (Thatar) of his bounty the Grains of grief and care, 

 and might sit in the rapture of love apart from the world 

 on the Perching-place (Addah) of peace and contentment : 

 and who hath then shaken the Disturbing-staff (Chipi — the 

 bamboo rod with flag attached) of desire that the pigeon, 

 urged by the shrill whistle (Zafil) of his prompting may 

 betake itself to flight : and who hath dipt the wings and the 

 tail of the Decoy pigeon. (Kutti) of worldly appetite, that 

 sitting on the perch of amazement it may behold from afar 

 the outward show of things. 



" Snatch gaily from my bird-like thought, 

 The song-flowers which its sweet note brings ; 

 From the soft pigeon's theme is caught 

 Thy poet's joys, thy poet's wings. 



"And abundant praise to that illustrous Syed who hath well 

 ranged the strange pigeons (Parghara) of devious path and 

 erring flight in the bond of the followers of the Law, that they 

 may no more be scattered and distracted: and who hath 

 shewed the lamp of his guidance to them in the dovecote 

 of recklessness and in the darkness of night, that they may 

 become all trained in one system to the Circuit (Khalqa) 

 of obedience ; and who hath scattered over the Feeding- ground 

 (Tah) of human helplessness the Grain of high resolve to 

 persevere in the course of duty till they are exercised in 

 the discipline of coming and going (Bhuryan) and abstinence : 

 and at length escaping from the Feeding-tray of weakness, 

 they shall sport at will by the effort of divine grace; and 

 shall finally ai'rive at the Terrace of proximity to Him and 

 taste the delight of the Sugared rice (chat — used for bringing 

 pigeons down) of Union. 



" Whene'er my heart in fairy joys would stray, 

 With gentle pigeons in rapt thought I play. 



