غزل شمارهٔ 213

If you are Love’s lover and in quest of Love, take a sharp dagger and cut the throat of bashfulness.

Know that reputation is a great barrier in the path; what I say is disinterested—accept it with a tranquil mind.

Why did that madman work a thousand kinds of madness, that chosen wild one invent a thousand wiles?

Now he rent his robe, now he ran over the mountains, now he quaffed poison, now he elected annihilation;

Since the spider seized such huge prey, consider what prey the snare of My Lord the Most High will take!

Since the love of Lail¯a’s face had all that worth, how will it be with He carried His servant by night?

Have you not seen the D¯ıv¯ans of V¯ısa and R¯am¯ın? Have you not read the stories of V¯amiq and ‘Adhr¯a?

You gather up your garment lest the water should wet it; you must dive a thousand times into the sea.

Love’s path has proved all drunkenness and abasement, for the torrent flows downwards; how should it run upwards?

You will be as a bezel in the lovers’ ring, if you are the earringed slave of the king, my master;

Just as this earth is thrall to the sky, just as the body is thrall to the spirit.

Come, say, what loss did earth suffer from this bond? What kindnesses has not reason done to the members?

My son, it behoves not to beat the drum under a blanket; plant your flag like a brave warrior in the midst of the plain.

With your spirit’s ear listen to the thousand tumults echoing in the green dome’s air from the clamour of the passionate ones!

When the cords of your robe are loosened by Love’s intoxication, behold then the angel’s rapture, the houri’s amazement!

How all the world trembles, on high and below, because of Love, which transcends all below and on high!

When the sun has arisen, where then remains night? When the army of grace has come, where then remains affliction?

I fell silent; Soul of the soul, do you speak, for every atom has grown articulate out of love for your face.