The Scented Garden

52 The Unity of God. VII THE DUSTSTORM I was excessively drunk yesterday in the house of Husein1 ; thou didst appear to me (for there is no might nor any potency save in the Almighty !2) as having two podices like suns on the horizon in a duststorm ; and four buttocks, shaking in a con- fused manner. Therefore I did take council with Husein-i-Abdal1 as to what it were fitting to do ; and he bade me look upon my member, whether it were one or two. Now then my eyes gave the lie to my hand ; but rushing upon thee like a bull, I did pe- netrate to the core of thy being ; and great joy overcoming me I fell down, assured that there was but one. Thus it is with the unbeliever3 and his three gods ; but whoso knoweth Allah knoweth Him to be one. For all that, Habib, it is a great pity that thou art not double as to thy podex ; I could more easily understand and excuse thy filthy dealings with the one-eyed Nubian yesterday. Of a surety thou stinkest yet of his sweat ; go wash thyself before thou comest wooing to El Qahar. Nay, darling ! come now, and as thou art ; I love thee, wert thou the bedfellow of every hog in Iran. 1. Husein — possibly represents the mystic Teacher or Guru of the poet. The Nubian is per- haps Satan or the “ Evil Genius.” Abdal means Saints or Hermits, but also a class of beings spo-