story xiv.) THE CHINESE AND GREEK ARTISTS. 31
If thou hast not seen the Devil, look at thyself,
Without demon’s aid how came that blue turban[1] on thy brow ?
Whosoever has a doubt or disquietude in lis heart
Is a secret denier and philosopher.
Now and then hie displays firm belief,
But that slight dash of philosophy blackens his face.
Beware, O believers! That lurks in you too;
You may develop innumerable states of mind.
All the seventy and two heresies lurk in yon ;
Have a care lest one day they prevail over you!
He in whose breast the leaf of true faith is grown
Must tremble as a leaf from fear of such a catastrophe.
Thou makest a mock of Iblis and the Devil,
Because thou art a fine man in thy own sight ;
But when thy soul shall tell thy wretched faults,
What lamentation thou wilt cause to the faithful !
The sellers of base gold sit smiling in their shops,
Because the touchstone is not as vet in their sight.
O Veiler of sins! strip not the veil from us;
Lend us aid on the day of trial!
Story XIV, The Chinese and the Greek Artists (p. 86).
The Chinese and the Greeks disputed before the Sultan which of them were the better painters; and, in order to settle the dispute, the Sultan allotted to each a house to be painted by them. The Chinese procured all kinds of paints, and coloured their house in the most elaborate way. The Greeks, on the other hand, used no colours at all, but contented themselves with cleansing the walls of their house from all filth, and burnishing them till they were as clear and bright as the heavens. When the two houses were offered to the Sultan's inspection, that painted by the Chinese was much admired; but the Greek house1 Blue turbans were considered a sign of hypocrisy {Ilafiz, Ode 3).
