It was the custom of the men of Qazwin to have various devices tattooed upon their bodies. A certain coward went to the artist to have such a device tattooed on his back, and desired that it might be the figure of a lion. But when he felt the pricks of the needles he roared with pain, and said to the artist, "What part of the lion are you now painting?" The artist replied, "I am doing the tail." The patient cried, "Never mind the tail; go on with another part." The artist accordingly began in another part, but the patient again cried out and told him to try somewhere else. Wherever the artist applied his needles, the patient raised similar objections, till at last the artist dashed all his needles and pigments on the ground, and refused to proceed any further. The Prophet's counsels to 'Ali to follow the direction of the Pir or Spiritual Guide, and to endure his chastisements patiently.

The Prophet said to 'Ali, "O 'Ali, Thou art the Lion of God, a hero most valiant; Yet confide not in thy lion-like valour, But seek refuge under the palm-trees of the 'Truth.' Whoso takes obedience as his exemplar Do thou seek to draw near to Reason; let not thy heart Rely, like others, on thy own virtue and piety. Come under the shadow of the Man of Reason, l That man enjoys close proximity to Allah; Turn not away from obedience to him in any wise;

For he makes the thorn a bed of roses, His shadow on earth is as that of Mount Qaf, He lends aid to the slaves of the friends of God, Were I to tell his praises till the last day, My words would not be too many nor admit of curtailment, He is the sun of the spirit, not that of the sky, That sun is hidden in the form of a man, Understand me! Allah knows the truth. O 'Ali, out of all forms of religious service Choose thou the shadow of that dear friend of God!

Every man takes refuge in some form of service, And chooses for himself some asylum; Do thou seek refuge in the shadow of the wise man, Of all forms of service this is fittest for thee; Having chosen thy Director, be submissive to him, Even as Moses submitted to the commands of Khizr; Have patience with Khizr's actions, O sincere one! Lest he say, 'There is a partition between us.' Though he stave in thy boat, yet hold thy peace; Though he slay a young man, heave not a sigh.

God declares his hand to be even as God's hand, For He saith, ( The hand of God is over their hands.' The hand of God impels him and gives him life; Nay, not life only, but an eternal soul. A friend is needed; travel not the road alone, Take not thy own way through this desert! Whoso travels this road alone The hand of the Director is not weaker than theirs; His hand is none other than the grasp of Allah! If absent saints can confer such protection,

If such food be bestowed on the absent, What dainties may not the guest who is present expect? The courtier who attends in the presence of the king The difference between them is beyond calculation; One sees the light, the other on]y the veil. Strive to obtain entrance within, Having chosen thy Director, be not weak of heart, Nor yet sluggish and lax as water and mud; But if thou takest umbrage at every rub, How wilt thou become a polished mirror?"