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Article HAFAZ, THE EGYPTIAN. ← Page 3 of 5 →
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Hafaz, The Egyptian.
of a churlish shepherd , whose heart and doors are closed against the traveller . " " Shall I not force him ? " asked the Egyptian , proudly , " I am strong , and armed . " " Do so , and we part , " replied the Sage , " his churlishness will not justify violence ; the cot and food are his ; respect the laws of property , the first principle of civilization . "
" Thy name ? " said Hafaz . " Morality" answered Ms guide . His pupil pondered and was silent . After wandering for many days , subjected to the severest poverty , the travellers arrived at the city of Cairo— " Here , " said his guide , " we
will tarry . " But how , " demanded the youth , " am I to live ? I am without money , and here totally unknown . " " Thou hast talent , " answered Morality , " go and hire thyself to some merchant . " The pride of Hafaz revolted at the idea of servitude , a scornful refusal was on his tongue , but a frown from his mysterious companion restrained
its utterance . " Pride—pride , " groaned the Sage ; " the gay butterfly scorneth the honest industry of the ant . Thou must work , " he added slowly , " or steal , for I will not support thee in idleness , or remain with thee , if once thou art tempted to violate the laws of honesty . " The latter threat , fortunately for the y outh , prevailed , and he departed , although reluctantly , in search of an employer ; his talents and knowand from his he
ledge of many tongues , soon gained him one , industry gradually rose to a situation of trust and emolument . Morality became the constant companion of his leisure hours , and his spirit seemed to overlook his private as well as public conduct . The truth , the great object for which he had sacrificed so much , appeared as distant as ever from his gaze , and frequently would he remind his stern and inflexible guide of his promise , whose only reply was , " Patience—patience—await thy appointed hour . "
The wife of the aged merchant with whom Hafaz resided , was young and beautiful ; in an evil hour she encountered the Egyptian , and , attracted by the graces of his person , conceived a guilty attachment , the knowledge of which she speedily conveyed to him . The youth was not insensible to the magic of beauty , or the delight of woman ' s love . They met , and , governed by passion , resolved on flight ; for which the absence of the husband afforded an opportunity . The appointed night fortunatel
arrived , and the lover appeared at the rendezvous ; but , y , on his way thither , the lessons of his old friend Morality returned to his recollection— " What am I about to do ? " he exclaimed , " to rob my benefactor of his wife , his dearest possession ; sacrifice virtue to lust , . and loose my promised reward . " After an internal struggle , the better princip le of his nature prevailed , and he retraced his steps to his lodging in the whom he had not for several previous days
city . Morality , seen , met him with a smile at the door— " Welcome , my son , " he exclaimed , " to subdue our passions , is man ' s noblest boast , the hardest task of our wayward nature ; thou hast achieved it—receive thy reward . " He took him by the hand , and led him to a plain , homely looking matron , who was evidently prepared , from her extended hand , to receive him . " Behold her whom thou hast sought—this is Truth . She will be now thy guide ; but although invisible , my spirit shall be near thee , my precepts never
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Hafaz, The Egyptian.
of a churlish shepherd , whose heart and doors are closed against the traveller . " " Shall I not force him ? " asked the Egyptian , proudly , " I am strong , and armed . " " Do so , and we part , " replied the Sage , " his churlishness will not justify violence ; the cot and food are his ; respect the laws of property , the first principle of civilization . "
" Thy name ? " said Hafaz . " Morality" answered Ms guide . His pupil pondered and was silent . After wandering for many days , subjected to the severest poverty , the travellers arrived at the city of Cairo— " Here , " said his guide , " we
will tarry . " But how , " demanded the youth , " am I to live ? I am without money , and here totally unknown . " " Thou hast talent , " answered Morality , " go and hire thyself to some merchant . " The pride of Hafaz revolted at the idea of servitude , a scornful refusal was on his tongue , but a frown from his mysterious companion restrained
its utterance . " Pride—pride , " groaned the Sage ; " the gay butterfly scorneth the honest industry of the ant . Thou must work , " he added slowly , " or steal , for I will not support thee in idleness , or remain with thee , if once thou art tempted to violate the laws of honesty . " The latter threat , fortunately for the y outh , prevailed , and he departed , although reluctantly , in search of an employer ; his talents and knowand from his he
ledge of many tongues , soon gained him one , industry gradually rose to a situation of trust and emolument . Morality became the constant companion of his leisure hours , and his spirit seemed to overlook his private as well as public conduct . The truth , the great object for which he had sacrificed so much , appeared as distant as ever from his gaze , and frequently would he remind his stern and inflexible guide of his promise , whose only reply was , " Patience—patience—await thy appointed hour . "
The wife of the aged merchant with whom Hafaz resided , was young and beautiful ; in an evil hour she encountered the Egyptian , and , attracted by the graces of his person , conceived a guilty attachment , the knowledge of which she speedily conveyed to him . The youth was not insensible to the magic of beauty , or the delight of woman ' s love . They met , and , governed by passion , resolved on flight ; for which the absence of the husband afforded an opportunity . The appointed night fortunatel
arrived , and the lover appeared at the rendezvous ; but , y , on his way thither , the lessons of his old friend Morality returned to his recollection— " What am I about to do ? " he exclaimed , " to rob my benefactor of his wife , his dearest possession ; sacrifice virtue to lust , . and loose my promised reward . " After an internal struggle , the better princip le of his nature prevailed , and he retraced his steps to his lodging in the whom he had not for several previous days
city . Morality , seen , met him with a smile at the door— " Welcome , my son , " he exclaimed , " to subdue our passions , is man ' s noblest boast , the hardest task of our wayward nature ; thou hast achieved it—receive thy reward . " He took him by the hand , and led him to a plain , homely looking matron , who was evidently prepared , from her extended hand , to receive him . " Behold her whom thou hast sought—this is Truth . She will be now thy guide ; but although invisible , my spirit shall be near thee , my precepts never