Thou art the essence of all loveliness, And I Thy very humblest worshipper.

Upon the Judgment Day So sweet Thy mercy shall to sinners prove, That envying them even the Saints shall say-- Would we were sinners thus to know Thy love!

When in the quest for Thee The heart shall seek among the pious throng, Thy voice shall call--If Thou desirest me Among the sinners I have dwelt for long.

At the great Reckoning Mighty the wicked who before Thy throne Shall come for judgment; little can I bring, No store of good nor evil deeds I own.

Among the thorns am I A thorn, among the roses am a rose, Friend among friends in love and amity, Foe among foes.

AMIR.

VIII.

I shall not try to flee the sword of Death, Nor fearing it a watchful vigil keep, It will be nothing but a sigh, a breath, A turning on the other side to sleep.

Through all the close entanglements of earth My spirit shaking off its bonds shall fare And pa.s.s, and rise in new unfettered birth, Escaping from this labyrinth of care.

Within the mortal caravan-serai No rest and no abiding place I know, I linger here for but a fleeting day, And at the morrow's summoning I go.

What are these bonds that try to shackle me?

Through all their intricate chains my way I find, I travel like a wandering melody That floats untamed, untaken, on the wind.

From an unsympathetic world I flee To you, your love and fellowship I crave, O Singers dead, Sauda and Mushafi, I lay my song as tribute on your grave.

AMIR.

IX.

Of no use is my pain to her nor me: For what disease is love the remedy?

My heart that may not to her love attain Is humble, and would even crave disdain.

O traitrous heart that my destruction sought And me to ruin and disaster brought!

As, when the chain of life is snapt in twain, Never shall it be linked, so ne'er again My utterly broken heart shall be made whole.

I cannot tear the Loved One from my soul, Nor can I leave my heart that clings to her.

O Asif, am I not Love's minister!

Who has such courage in Love's ways to dare!

What heart like mine such bitterness can bear!

ASIF.

X.

The eyes of the narcissus win new light From gleams that in Thy rapturous eyes they trace, The flame is but a moth with fluttering flight Drawn by the lovelier l.u.s.tre of Thy face.

This shifting House of Mirrors where we dwell Under Thy charm a fairy palace seems: Who hath not fallen tangled in Thy spell Beguiled by visions, wandering in dreams!

The hearts of all Thy captive lovers stray Hither and thither driven by whims of Thine, Sometimes within the Kaaba courts to pray, Sometimes to worship at the Idols' Shrine.

O Asif, thou hast known such grief and shame, Shrinking beneath the cruel scourge of Love, That all the earth will hail thee with acclaim As most courageous of the sons thereof.

ASIF.

XI.

When shall the mocking world withhold its blame, When shall men cease to darken thus my name, Calling the love which is my pride, my shame!

O Judge, let me my condemnation see; Whose names are written on my death decree?-- The names of all who have been friends to me.

What hope to reach the Well-Beloved's door, The dear lost dwelling that I knew of yore; I stumbled once; I can return no more.

The joy of love no heart can feel alone, The fire of love at first unseen, unknown, In flames of love from either side is blown.

O Asif, tread thy pathway carefully Across this difficult world; for, canst thou see, A further journey is awaiting thee.

ASIF.

XII.

I ask that G.o.d in justice punish me With death, if my love waver or grow less; Faithful am I indeed-- How can you comprehend such faithfulness?

To you alone I offer up my heart, To any other what have I to give?

No light demand I make, What answer will you grant that I may live?

If on the last dread Day of Reckoning I think of you, and in my heart there shine The beauty of your face, G.o.d's Beatific Vision shall be mine.

Once I had friends, now none are left to me; I see none else but you, because my heart Has wholly fled to you, And thus I walk the ways of Earth apart.

I, Asif, am the chief of sinners held, This dark dishonour will I not deny, But glory in my shame; Where is another sinner such as I?

ASIF.