Ghazal No. 36

No lordship and no mastership does the world of Love know. It is enough that it knows how to serve.

Not everyone who walks around an idol and ties the sacred thread around his neck can claim to know the rules of idol-worship and of unbelief.

There are a thousand Khybers here, a hundred kinds of dragons too. Not everyone who lives on barley bread can know a Hyder’s ways.

Better than Alexander in the eyes of the wise is a man, be he a beggar, who knows what the end of Alexanderism is.

What is there in the blandishments of fair-faced youth? Come; join the circle of an old man who knows how to conquer hearts.

The West makes glass, and fashions jars and cups. I am surprised it thinks the glass itself to be ‘the fairy in the glass.

What can I say about a Muslim who is not a Muslim in his ways, save this that, though a scion of Abraham, he follows Azar’s way of life.

Come into my abode of woes just for a while and see how well an ill-starred man has mastered alchemy.

Come and join Iqbal’s company, and share a drink or two with him. Although he does not shave his head, he knows qalandar’s ways.