A story of the great men of the faith - Saadi Shirazi

They relate a story of the great men of the faith. 

Recognizers of the truth of the essence of truth. 

As follows: A pious man sate on a panther; 

Snake in hand, he urged his long, pleasant-paced steed. 

One said to him: "Oh, man of the way of God! 

Guide me to this road by which thou didst go. 

"What didst thou, that the rending animal became obedient to thee? 

That the seal-ring of good fortune went to thy name?" 

He said: "If the panther and snake be submissive to me,' 

And if also the elephant and vulture — be not astonished. 

"Do thou also from the order of the Ruler (God) twist not thy neck. 

So that no one, from thy order, may twist his neck." 

When the ruler is obedient to God, 

God is his Protector and Friend. 

It is impossible when He loves thee 

That He will leave thee in the power of an enemy. 

This is the road, and turn not thy face from the way; 

Place thy foot on this road and obtain the object which thou dost desire. 

Advice of a person is profitable to a person — to him. 

To whom the saying of Sadi is agreeable. 

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Saadi Shirazi [Abū-Muhammad Muslih al-Dīn bin Abdallāh Shīrāz] (1210 - 1292) Iran 

Translator not stated

Source: The Sacred Books and Early Literature of the East, Volume VIII, Medieval Persia, Prof. Charles F. Horne, Ph.D., Parke, Austin, and Lipscomb, Inc. 1917