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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

PEARLS OF THE FAITH: 80, 81. GHAFOOR, MUNTAKIM by EDWIN ARNOLD

Poet Analysis

First Line: OH, MEN, OF DRY CLAY MOLDED, AS THE POTTER MOLDS THE JARS
Last Line: AL-GHAFOOR AND AL-MUNTAKIM.
Subject(s): GOD; ISLAM;
@3"Forgiver!" and "Avenger!" worship Him
By these two names, Ghafoor and Muntakim@1.

Oh, Men, of dry clay molded,' as the potter molds the jars;
Oh, Djins, that We have fashioned from the smokeless fire of stars:
@3What terror of the Lord will ye abide?@1

He is Lord of cast and west, He is Lord of south and north;
And the seas obey the limits which He set them, pouring forth:
@3What terror of the Lord will ye abide?@1

Their white pearls, large and small, are the handiwork of Him;
And the ships, with towering sails, by His winds and waters swim:
@3Which terror of your Lord will ye abide?@1

But the earth and all her creatures shall die and be decayed;
Only the face of Allah will never change nor fade:
@3Which terror of your Lord will ye abide?@1

The face of Allah ruling in glorious array;
For all things look unto Him, and He governs day by day:
@3Which terror of your Lord will ye abide?@1

Yet will He find good leisure, ye twain! ye Djins and Men,
To judge you at the judgment, oh, Clay and Flame! what then?
@3Which terror of your Lord will ye abide?@1

If ye can pass His gateways, east, west, and south and north—
Which shut in earth and heaven—hasten ye! pass ye forth: @3Which
terror of your Lord will ye abide?@1

But Life and Death inclose ye; by no way shall ye pass;
A fence of flame shall stay ye, and a moat of molten brass:
@3Which terror of your Lord will ye abide?@1

And when the sky is rended, red like a new-ripped hide,
There shall be no accusing, admitted or denied:
@3Which terror of your Lord will ye abide?@1

No yea nor nay! no questions! the sinner's brand is sin;
Thereby shall he be known, and flung Hell's blazing walls within:
@3Which terror of your Lord will ye abide?@1

Flung by the forelock and the feet: "'This Hell existed not,'
Ye said. Now broil! and when ye thirst, drink sulphur scalding hot:"
@3Which terror of your Lord will ye abide?@1

But sweet for him who was faithful, and feared the face of his God,
Are the Gardens of joy preparing, and the gates of the Golden Abode:
@3Which bounty of his Lord will he deny?@1

With leafy branching fruit-trees are set those Gardens twain,
And softly the streamlets warble, and brightly the fountains rain:
@3Which bounty of his Lord will he deny?@1

And the fruit of the Golden Gardens swings delicate, near to reach,
Where they rest on their 'broidered couches, hearing delightful speech:
@3Which bounty of his Lord will they deny?@1

Therein are the shy-faced maidens, refraining their night-black eyes
From any save that glad lover whose joy is their Paradise:
@3Which bounty of his Lord will they deny?@1

From any but that glad lover, that happy lord for whom
Their mouths of pearl rain kisses, their lips of ruby bloom.
@3Which bounty of his Lord will they deny?@1

Shall the wages of righteous-doing be less than the promise given?
Nay! but by God, the Glorious, the debt shall be paid in heaven!
@3What bounty of his Lord will they deny?

Oh, man! fear Him, magnify him;
Al-Ghafoor and Al-Muntakim@1.



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