Hatef Esfehani: Silk will not three things be, though it appears Sometimes as satin, damask or brocade...

Dear Paul

Enclosed I send you a very nice Persian poem from a Persian Poet Hatef Esfehani; Here is also the translation:

'Once in a church I saw a Christian maid. 
'Thou who dost hold my heart in thrall!' I said. 
'Thou whose unraveled girdle is entwined 
With every hair of mine, and forms one braid! 

Till when from faith in Unity astray? 
Triune to call the One, art, not afraid? 
How can as Father, Son and Holy Ghost 
The one true God be fittingly arrayed?' 
Parting her lovely lips, sweet words she spoke, 
Smiling and laughing, answered undismayed, 
'If of God's Unity thou art assured, 
Call us not infidels, nor us upbraid! 
Iii triple mirrors God in endless love 
Has his resplendent countenance displayed. 
Silk will not three things be, though it appears 
Sometimes as satin, damask or brocade!' 

While thus in colloquy we were absorbed, 
This noble chant the church bell loudly played, 

'God is but one: there can no other be.

One is the Lord, and there is none but He.'

Hannah

 Source:  http://www.farsinet.com/ChristInPersianPoetry/classical_poets2.html