1. The world's allure is frail, woven by undoing hands,
When it cannot please Him who never ceased to please.

2. And it heartens us that the Almighty is honored
When eyes awe in joy at splendor’s radiant gleam.

3. Would you grasp in closed fist what’s offered opened wide
By One who’s accustomed to unfold and bid take?

4. For that is the trusted Friend, the Majestic whom
Some evil's lighter than other evils, we find.

5. So the Lord adorns some evil, as the cheek
Of fair ones is adorned by a beauty spot.

6. Thus evil leads to good in its cool interstices—
Immense is that good, safe from all undoing.

7. These days are but ciphers, though they don
Finery and ornaments of spangled gloss.

8. When they're spared somewhat of their vileness,
That's the good in them, long and wide.

9. One contends thereby with the guile of hypocrites
Who smile at you while boiling with hatred inside.

10. As the viper squatted to suddenly spring forth,
Do not think the moment it glanced down was out of remorse.

11. And one knows its nature by testing it,
As a hidden malady's known from the pulse.

12. God bless the eye of one who sees what he sees—
Sees its caprices as coloring all it surveys.

13. Elevation cannot make him vain if his gleam rises high,
Nor will he shrink from abasement if it casts him low.

14. That's the one who needs to meet its diverse woes
With diverse aid, not rejected or pushed away.

15. He counters it, without burning anchors,
With opinons open to the new, e'er dissolving.

16. Until the blacks turn white by its actions,
And the throng of foes fails to whiten its darkness.

17. I say verily, for the word benefits an ache,
And douses torments and cures the hurt.

18. And it decides on the illness with wise governance
When people are hostage to it, and it holds sway.

19. I say, and can fault be found with my word
Once spoken forthrightly, and the saying holds true?

20. If you cannot contain the earth from its shaking,
The wrath of Him Who highest named the heavens will be upon the earth.

21. Verily, that parable is you and parent—
Rising with the burdens of sublime sincerity.