The Green Birds on the Aloe-Wood Columns

From D5.29, Iskandar Seeks the Fount of Life. It illustrates D5.29.56–66:

D5.29.56
The bird descended lower from its height;The man of God stood wondering at the sight.
D5.29.57
It asked: “Do men seek music, and the throngOf drunken voices raised in merry song?”
D5.29.58
He said: “They love the harp and wine-cup well, And under worldly pleasures choose to dwell.”
D5.29.59
In grief the bird dropped down upon the ground, Till on the column’s base its feet were found.
D5.29.60
It asked: “Are knowledge and right conduct moreThan crookedness and failings in your lore?”
D5.29.61
He answered: “One who seeks for knowledge trueWins honor; each assembly grants his due.”
D5.29.62
The great bird flew back to the column then,And with its beak it cleaned its claws again.
D5.29.63
It asked: “Do those who worship God on highDwell in your land on mountains near the sky?”
D5.29.64
He said: “The pure in thought can find no placeExcept the mountain for their worship’s grace.”
D5.29.65
The bird ascended to its lofty nest;The Shah was glad, with brightness in his breast.
D5.29.66
Again, with claws it honed its beak, and boreNo fear of resurrection’s dreadful roar.