15
I looked and behold, my child amongst them. So I threw myself upon him and said, ‘O folk, this is my child: how came ye by him?’ ‘As we were sailing along [yesterday],’ quoth they, ‘the ship suddenly stood still in the sea and behold, [that which stayed us was] a [sea] beast, as it were a great city, and this child on its back, sucking his thumbs; so we took him up into the ship.’ When I heard this, I told them all that had befallen me and returned thanks to my Lord and vowed to Him that I would never stir from His House nor swerve from His service [whilst I lived]; and since then, I have never required of Him aught but He hath given it me.’
When she had made an end of her story (adds the Seyyid), I put my hand to my alms-pouch and would have given to her, but she exclaimed, ‘Away, idle man! Have I not told thee of His bounties and the graciousness of His dealings [with me] and shall I take an alms from other than His hand?’ And I could not prevail with her to take aught of me; so I left her and went away, reciting the following verses:
How many secret favours are there not in God! His mysteries elude the most enlightened sight.
How often by His grace doth ease come after stress, How oft the broken heart is solaced by His might!
How often in the morn is one oppressed by care, Yet gladness follows on the coming of the night!
If things go hard with thee, trust in the Most High God, The ever-living One that is in Heaven’s height.
Claim thou the Prophet’s voice to intercede for thee: Through him each faithful soul shall have his heart’s delight.
And she ceased not from the service of her Lord, cleaving unto His [Holy] House, till death came to her.
