An old friend came to pay his respects to Joseph, and, after some remarks upon the bad behaviour of his brethren, Joseph asked him what present he had brought to show his respect. The friend replied that he had long considered what gift would be most suitable to offer, and at last had fixed upon a mirror, which he accordingly produced from his pocket and presented to Joseph, at the same time begging him to admire his own beauteous face in it.

Defect and Not-being the Mirror wherein He drew forth a mirror from his side Since Not-being is tho mirror of Being, If you are wise, choose Not-being (self-abnegation). Being may be displayed in that Not-being, He who is an hungered is the clear mirror of bread, Not-being and Defect, wherever they occur, Because Not-being is a clear filtered essence, When a garment is made by a good tailor,

'Tis an evidence of the tailor's art. Logs of wood would not be duly shaped The leech skilled in setting bones goes If there were no sick and infirm, How could the excellence of the leech's art be seen? If vile base copper were not mingled, How could the alchemist show his skill? Defects are the mirrors of the attributes of Beauty, The base is the mirror of the High and Glorious One,

Because one contrary shows forth its contrary, As honey's sweetness is shown by vinegar's sourness. Whoso recognizes and confesses his own defects Is hastening in the way that leads to perfection! But he advances not towards the Almighty No sickness worse than fancying thyself perfect Can infect thy soul, O arrogant misguided one! Shed many tears of blood from eyes and heart, The fault of Iblis lay in saying, "I am better than he,"