(Masnavi Book 3: 20) The two Magicians who summoned their father from the grave

How Pharaoh sent (messengers) to the cities in search of the magicians.

When Moses had returned (home) and he (Pharaoh) remained (with his own people), he called his advisers and counsellors to his presence.

They deemed it right that the King and Ruler of Egypt should assemble them (the magicians)

from all parts of Egypt.

Thereupon he sent many men in every direction to collect the sorcerers.

1160. In whatsoever region there was a renowned magician, he set flying towards him ten active couriers.

There were two youths, famous magicians: their magic penetrated into the heart of the moon.

They milked the moon publicly and openly; in their journeys they went mounted on a wine-jar. They caused the moonshine to appear like a piece of linen: they measured and sold it speedily, And took the silver away: the purchaser, on becoming aware (of the fraud), would smite his hand upon his cheeks in grief.

1165. They were the inventors of a hundred thousand such (tricks) in sorcery, and were not

(following others) like the rhyme-letter.

When the King's message reached them, (to this effect): “The king is now desiring help from you,

Because two dervishes have come and marched in force against the King and his palace.

They have naught with them except one rod, which becomes a dragon at his (Moses') command. The King and the whole army are helpless: all have been brought to lamentation by these two

persons.

1170. A remedy must be sought in magic, that maybe you wilt save (their) lives from these two enchanters—”

When he (the messenger) gave the message to those two magicians, a (great) fear and love

descended on the hearts of them both.

When the vein of homogeneity began to throb, they laid their heads upon their knees in astonishment.

Inasmuch as the knee is the Súfí's school, the two knees are sorcerers for solving a difficulty.

How those two magicians summoned their father from the grave and questioned their father's spirit concerning the real nature of Moses, on whom be peace.

Afterwards they said, “Come, O mother, where is our father's grave? Do you show us the way.”

1175. She took them and showed the way to his grave: then they kept a three days' fast for the sake of the King.

After that they said, “O father, the King in consternation has sent us a message

(To say) that two men have brought him to sore straits and have destroyed his prestige with the army.

There is not with them any weapons or soldiers; nothing but a rod, and in the rod is a calamity

and bane.

You art gone into the world of the righteous, though to outward seeming you liest in a tomb.

1180. If that is magic, inform us; and if it be divine, O spirit of our father,

(In that case) also inform us, so that we may bow down (before them) and bring ourselves in touch with an elixir.

We are despairing, and a hope has come; we are banished, and Mercy has drawn us (towards

favour).”

How the dead magician answered his sons.

He cried, “O my dearest sons, it rests (with God) to declare this (matter) plainly.

It is not permitted to me to speak openly and freely, yet the mystery is not far from mine eye.

1185. But I will show unto you a sign, that this hidden thing may be made manifest to you. O light of mine eyes, when ye go thither, become acquainted with the place where he sleeps, And at the time when that Sage is asleep, make for the rod, abandon fear.

If you shalt steal it and art able (to do so), he is a magician; the means of dealing with a magician is present with thee;

But if you canst not (steal it), beware and beware! That (man) is of God: he is the messenger of the Glorious (God) and is (divinely) guided.

1190. Though Pharaoh occupy the world, east and west, he will fall headlong: God and then war!

I give (you) this true sign, O soul of your father: inscribe it (in your heart): God best knoweth the right course.

O soul of your father, when a magician sleeps, there is none to direct his magic and craft.

When the shepherd has gone to sleep, the wolf becomes unafraid: when he sleeps, his exertion ceases;

But the animal whose shepherd is God—how has the wolf hope or way (of getting) there?

1195. The sorcery which God practises is real and true: it is wrong to call that real thing sorcery.

O soul of your father, this is the decisive sign: even if he (a prophet) die, God exalteth him.”