Seeing the Prophet's garb at Qandhar

Qandhar, that place of paradisiac charm, Its dust the heart’s desire of men of heart.

These hues, scents, waters! These waters glittering like mercury!

Tulips in the coign of the mountains. fires frozen within pomegranates.

Its streets the streets of the friend for us, O camel driver, set the litter for the beautiful one.

I sing again of the mates of Najd and bring the dromedary into ecstasy with my chant.

I come from the temple of Magians intoxicated with the passing of wine. I was inebriate with the wine of illa in the state of la.

I know his eyes perceive the capacity of every person, the saki has made me ecstatic by his blandishment and beckoning.

It is time I should again open the tavern of Rumi: I have seen the custodian of the Harem intoxicated in the churchyard.

It is not the work of a philosopher, catch hold of the hem of a Moses, who conversed with God. A hundred persons enrapt with the shore and but one tipsy with the river.

I took my heart to the garden where it became numb with the breeze It dies in a park, this tulip stimulated by the desert!

From his delightful words, the secrets of the Harem shine out: I saw a mini infidel yesterday intoxicated in the valley of Bat’ha.

Is this Sinai or Faran? O God, what is this place? Each particle of my dust is an eye lost in beholding the garment of that Interstice that cannot be crossed.

I behold in his saying—For me two garbs Continence and Jihad;

Both his Faith and system expositions of the whole; on his forehead inscribed the destiny of all

Intellect made him knower of secrets, and love a matchless sword.

He is the destination of the caravan of ardour, we are but a pinch of dust and he the heart thereof.

To see his outside is our asra’, and in his inner self is our Aqsa.

From his garment I sensed his perfume; he gave us the shout of Allah hu.

What did my reckless love do to my heart? Whatever tempestuous wine to the flask.

It leapt in the breast because of wild rapture till it rushed out of the eyes.

It said: I am Gabriel and radiant light; I never saw him like this before.

It recited lines from Rumi, laughed and wept, O God! who is this sage gone wild?

It talked to me so volubly in the sanctuary, talking of wine, Magian pages and wine cups.

I asked it what audacious words these be; close your lips for this is a solemn occasion.

have nurtured you with my blood and made you fit for raising a morning sigh.

Note again this point you who understand, the love of disciplined lovers is naught but restraint.

It said: Reason and restraint are a blight for the heart, ecstasy and frenzy are its nature.

It raised shouts upon shouts till it fell into prostration; there was only the flame of its voice but itself no more!