XIII.
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hile a Full Year was counted by the Moon,Salámán and Absál rejoiced together,And for so long he stood not in the faceOf Sage or Shah, and their bereavéd HeartsWere torn in twain with the Desire of Him.They question'd those about him, and from themHeard something; then Himself in Presence summon'd,And, subtly sifting on all sides, so pliedInterrogation till it hit the Mark,And all the Truth was told. Then Sage and ShahStruck out with Hand and Foot in his Redress.And First with Reason, which is also Best;Reason that rights the Retrograde—completesThe Imperfect—Reason that unties the Knot:For Reason is the Fountain from of oldFrom which the Prophets drew, and none beside.Who boasts of other Inspiration lies—There are no other Prophets than The Wise.
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