WHEN SILENCE IS GOLDEN. (FROM "TALES OF Araby.")

Te Aroha News, Volume VI, Issue 326, 19 December 1888, Page 3

WHEN SILENCE IS GOLDEN. (FROM " TALES OF Araby.")

bee, three sermons of great knowledge, (Chapter six. eleventh verne), "W here Ebn Abul, deem'd the wise, Speaks but in fables verse. One Sabbath lie had sipp'd his wine Forhidden.by our Book, And lo! he-had no sermon by. Naught out a knowing look ! But silence crawneth many a fool ,With wisdom : see t.he *-age As teniple.wards he takes his way Reading some holy page. , ThQy pray- The faithful bow their heads ; "Allah, the Wi^Q," they say, '*' Give us, the children of thy care, "Wisdom to know thy way." Then thus the sage— "Know ye, my sons. The -word that I may speak '." They answer, *" NO ; how can, we tell, Our knowledge is too weak 2" "Then I will hot one gem reveal 01 Allah's palace gatei Depart, j c unlearn'd crowds ot men, . Jlquv darkness is so fereat." Next Sabbath thus he spa-k"e again— " " Know yeiwhat I may.say ?'* They Answer, " YES." Then said Abul— " Haste homewai'd on your way; *' For why should I attempt to teach _AL crowd, that knows so much,? The wisdom of our learned craft Is thrown away on such." Next Sabbath thus spake he again : " Oh, faithful sons ot God, Know ye the wise words I may say ?" Some answer with a nod. But one stands up and bows his head, '"Allah is great," said be ; "Thy servants are but simple men - Who wish to learn from thee. X " Behold, some know the words right well That thou inay'st speak to-day, And some do not, so wail? we her,e To list what thou shalt say." > Then Ebn Abul. looking misc. Said, '• Poor divided lot. Let him who knows my unsaid thought Tell him who knows it not !" t O ! wpre our teachers wise to-day With bell and cap'aiid bpok. And when they know no more tKan us Wear but a knowing tooki Not teach'us things past finding out Of goblins, fiends and elves. But teach to us a living faith. And follow it themselves ; Not tell us' God is king of hate, But sot ereign Lord of good, Tlmt vengeance dies when lave isborn (Tnings t • be understood). , Or be as Ebn 'Abul-J-wisc, Knowing the noblest plan > • Is just to let poor simple folk. Learn wisdom whore they can.

,w.ii. Wills.