Discourses of Rumi

248 V DISCOURSES OF RUMIwithin them.” May God save all those who arewronged by these highwaymen, who block thepath of God by way of “devotion!”Kings play polo to show the people of their cityan example of the warrior’s skill—the lopping offof the enemies’ heads, rolling them around just asthe balls roll in the field, the warrior’s frontalcharge, attack and retreat. This play in the park isonly a symbol for that serious business of war. Inthe same way, the people of God perform spiritualprayers and dances to show something of theirinmost heart—how they follow their disciplineand their path. The singer who leads them is likethe Imam at a ritual Moslem prayer. The peoplefollow his lead. If he sings slowly, they danceslowly. If he sings fast, they dance fast. It is only areflection of how within their hearts they followthe summoning of God.