Done into English 'Why heed the Critics who delight to dart Their sneer-tipped arrows at translator's art? The poet's work remains his own at last Though it in other languages be cast. And in the sky of Fame it still will shine, By that which made it at the first divine. But in this foreign dress some soul may see A hint of that which fascinated me; Some deep impression be still deeper made When by our muse-beloved tongue conveyed; Some beauty be with newer beauty set; Some thought that will with fresh emotion fret Some gentle breast, or with strange music sweep O'er heaving waters of the spirit's deep.' Edward Robeson Taylor of San Francisco. Light
I. Until the glorious Sun hath vanquished Night, The Birds of Day cower trembling with affright. But lo! a bright glance bids the Tulip ope; O Heart, awake thou too, in Duty's might. The Sun's Sword sheds in reddening flush of Dawn The Blood of Night, and puts the Foe to flight. The Soul still full of sleep, dreams Night prevails; But no! Day comes, and triumphs full in sight. While grey Dawn lingers, dubious yet is Day; But in Day's glow, who still can doubt the Light. The Light grows in the East; I in the West On Mountain top, reflect the Morn's delight. To Beauty's Sun, I'm but the pale moon here; Then look from me towards the Sun's face bright. The Light in East is called JelÁleddÍn[24]; And here my verse reflects its glowing White. Death and Life
II. Death endeth sure Life's need and pain; Yet Life in fear would Death restrain. Life only sees dark Death's dread Hand, Not that bright Cup it offered plain. So shrinks from Love the tender Heart, As if from threat of being slain. But when true Love awakens, dies The Self, that despot dark and vain. Then let him die in Night's black hour, And freely breathe in Dawn again. Invocation
III. Soul of mine, thou dawning Light: Be not far, O be not far! Love of mine, thou Vision bright: Be not far, O be not far! Life is where thou smilest sweetly; Death is in thy parting look; Here mid Death and Life's fierce fight: Be not far, O be not far! I am East when thou art rising; I am West when thou dost set; Bring Heaven's own radiant hues to sight: Be not far, O be not far! See how well my Turban fitteth, yet the Parsee Girdle binds me; Cord and Wallet I bear light: Be not far, O be not far! True Parsee and true Brahman, a Christian, yet a Mussulman; Thee I trust, Supreme by Right: Be not far, O be not far! In all Mosques, Pagodas, Churches, I do find One Shrine alone; Thy Face is there my sole delight: Be not far, O be not far! Thine the World's all-loving Heart; and for it I yearn and pray; O take not from my Heart thy flight: Be not far, O be not far! Thee, the World's Eternal Centre, here I circle round in prayer; Thy absence is last judgment quite: Be not far, O be not far! Thine, Judgment Day and Blessedness: Mine is Bliss when Thou art nigh; Keep me circling in thy Might: Be not far, O be not far! Fair World Rose, O blossom forth; sweet Heart-buds unfold in Love; Put on the longing Soul's pure White: Be not far, O be not far! O Rose, hear through Night's silence, how he thrills—thy Nightingale; As if I did his Notes indite: Be not far, O be not far! JelÁleddÍn, all loving, let Love's Heart resist no more: Hear him chaunting, Day and Night: Be not far, O be not far! Faith
IV. All Unbelief is Midnight, but Faith the Night-Lamp's glow; Then see that no Thief cometh to steal thy Lamp when low. Our Hope is for the Sunlight, from which the Lamp did shine; The Light from which it kindled, still feeds its flame below. But when the Sun hath risen, both Night and Lamp go out; And Unbelief and Faith then, the higher Vision know. O Night! Why art thou dreaming? O Lamp! Why flickerest so? The swift Sun-horses panting, from East their fire-foam throw. 'Tis Night still in the shadow; the village Lamp burns dim; But in Dawn's Splendour towering, the Peaks Heaven's Glory show. Dawn
V. The Day has dawned, thy festal Day, O Rose; Our cheeks all glow in thy bright Ray, O Rose. Love was the Gardener of the Rose-bed there; And now thy Flower blooms forth all gay, O Rose. When Herald Breezes blew: The Rose! the Flowers Kneeling to thee glad Homage pay, O Rose. The Tulips danced; the Lilies, drinking there, Their brightest hues to thee display, O Rose. The Cypress whispered to the Ivy: Wake! Why dream'st thou, Child? She dreamed thy Play, O Rose; The Nightingale a thousand long nights through But trilled thy own sweet Melody, O Rose. The Heavens more fair assume thy radiant form, But thou outviest their Phantasy, O Rose. The Rose a message brings from Paradise Where Souls for thee all eager stay, O Rose. The Rose brings greeting to the Soul from Home; The Soul forgets thee not for aye, O Rose. The Rose unfolds the Sign of Beauty there: God's Seal Himself the Poets say, O Rose. The Soul crowns all Man's festal Cup of Joy; That he with thee may breathe Life's May, O Rose. The Rose is twined in all Life's gladdest Bonds, That Love from Man ne'er flee away, O Rose. Be closed in Buds thy Lips; but there let shine The Smile that ever in thee lay, O Rose. Allah Hu!
VI. Sound Drum and mellow Flute, resounding: Allah hu[25]! Dance, ruddy Dawn, in Gladness bounding: Allah hu! Sun exalted in the Centre, O thou streaming Light; Soul of all wheeling Planets rounding: Allah hu! O Hearts! O Worlds! how soon your Dancing all would stop, Did not His Power sustain astounding! Allah hu! Love mazy, winding, changing, all embraces, The Night, the Dawn, the Day, resounding: Allah hu! Boom, Sea! on Shore, and Rock, thy Music praising God; O Nightingale to Rose trill, sounding: Allah hu! O Soul, what if one Star should falter in the Dance? His Will is Order ever founding: Allah hu! Who knows Love's mazy circling, ever lives in God; For Death, he knows, is Love abounding: Allah hu! Spring
VII. O Eyes, go forth the Spring to view, That smiles upon our Plains anew. A Heavenly Child in cradling Flowers, Sweet Breath from Skies unclouded drew. The Morning Breeze his Nurse, that rocked His Cradle, with soft Lullings due. The Baby feigns to sleep, and blinks, Shutting his little Eyelids two. And when the Lids are oped again, The Eyebrows drip with sparkling Dew. The Bees hum round and busy sip The Nectar, and make Honey new. O come, and let the Baby's smiles And Laughter, pierce thee through and through. O come, and leave your wintry Cell, And let Heaven's Light thy Life renew. And build new Cells with honey'd Wax, Plann'd like the Bees' six-sided, true. And warmed by radiant Fire of Flowers, Old Winter's reign of Death undo. Regret is dead; Love lives again; New Life transforms the Landscape's Hue. Bold enter, then, green Spring's loved Haunts, And drink fresh Wine, nor fear to rue. And drinking full Love's sweetest Draught, The glowing Heart new Love shall woo. Love wakes afresh in Earth and Heaven; The Rose in green, the Sun in blue. O Nightingale, behold thy Rose! O Eagle, thy bright Sun pursue! Spring's Festival
VIII. Pehlevan, i.e. of the old heroic Age. 'Rustum, the "Hercules" of Persia, and ZÁl his Father, whose exploits are among the most celebrated in the ShÁhnÁma' (Fitzgerald). Compare Matthew Arnold's 'Sohrab and Rustum. An Episode.' Bondage
XIX. Complain not that in Chains, thou here art firmly bound; Complain not that Earth's Yoke, doth crush thee to the Ground. Complain not that the World is but a Prison wide; 'Tis only thy complainings that build thy Dungeon round. And ask not how Life's Riddle will finally unfold; For soon without thy asking, unfolded 'twill be found. Say not Love has forsaken or yet forgotten thee; Love ne'er has Man forsaken; thy Words all falsely sound. Nor tremble when Death dreaded appears in Terror's Form; He falls before the Hero, who is with Courage crowned. Ne'er chase the Phantom, Pleasure; for like a hungry Lion, 'Twill turn and rend in pieces the Hunter most renowned. Throw not thyself in Fetters; else will Men sternly say: Complain not of thy Fetters; for thou thyself hast bound. Love's Freedom
XX. O Bird, that freest to Freedom win; Love caged thee in that Prison thin. O Soul, if thou, too, wouldst be free, Then love the Love that shuts thee in. 'Tis Love that twisteth every Snare; 'Tis Love that snaps the Bond of Sin. Love sounds the Music of the Spheres; Love echoes through Earth's harshest Din. Love fills with Fragrance Heaven's sweet Air; Love's deft Hands Life's gold Fibres spin. The World is God's pure Mirror clear, To Eyes when free from Clouds within. With Love's own Eyes the Mirror view, And there see God to Self akin. Then praise Him, Soul, enflamed with Love As Larks in Dawn, new Songs begin. In My Heart
XXI. O, what a Throb of Toil is in my Heart! What Shrine's crowd-trodden Soil is in my Heart! The Spring has come; again the Sower sows, And all the Season's Moil is in my Heart. The Veil which hid the World's fair face is drawn; Disclosed, its inmost Coil is in my Heart. The Heart must higher rise, than setting Suns; The Sun-dance nought can foil is in my Heart. The Heart has well been named the Shah's own throne; And warm anointing Oil is in my Heart. The Heart's deep Ocean rolls a thousand waves; And rich Pearl-diver's Spoil is in my Heart. JelÁleddÍn! The Heart is sure both Mine and Mint; For Fire, as Gold did boil, is in my Heart. Not Deaf to Love
XXII. O Brother hear! Be deaf no more, to Love: Thy heart now open to its Core, to Love! Hast thou in Pride, all vain, upraised thy Head? Come bend it now down to the Floor, to Love. In Dust thou shalt new living Grace receive, As Spring awakes the Landscape frore, to Love. And once thou hast put on Love's Leaves and Flowers, Comes golden Fruit in Autumn hoar, to Love. And when thou fadest sere, then burn thyself; And give thy Ashes, all Earth bore, to Love. And wing'd, from Ashes wilt thou fairer rise; And with Love's highest Message soar, to Love. Assimilation
XXIII New Sword from Maker's Hand, in Edge and Point all bright; See that in dirty Scabbard, it rust not, out of Sight! Gold that in Miser's Coffer, in Blackness meanly lay, Upon the Shah's Throne gleaming, becomes a World's Delight. When full Clouds pour the Rain-drops, lo! every glad Tree drinks; Fruits redden on the Apple tree, as Leaves grow pale in Fright. This Stalk an empty Pipe still, in that sweet Sugar swells; Yet both did sip the same Tank, at Morning, Noon, and Night. One Deer distils perfumed Musk, another bitterest Gall, Yet grazed together, side by side, upon the self-same Height. Two creeping Worms together fed upon the same green Leaf; One spins mere useless Theadlets, the other Silk aright. The Bee's Lip, and the Snake's sucked from the self-same Flower; The one made Honey's Sweetness, the other Poison's Bite. One dines, and all his Nutriment transmutes to Life divine; Another's Food is souring to Hatred and to Spite. One's Eyes drink Light till blinded; the other stores it up, And glows in rosy Brightness, Love-robed in red and white. Be pure in all thy Members, and from Nature's golden Tree Pluck God's own Blessing daily, and grow in Manhood's Might. Cleanliness
XXIV. Clean be kept thy Garment, and Clean be kept thy Mouth and Hand. Clean thy Garment from false Gawds Clean from all Earth's Filth thy Hand. Clean thy Heart from earthly Spite; Clean thy Lips from Greed's Demand. Outer Threshhold ever clean, Clean within let all Things stand. House all clean, might entertain Angel from the Heavenly Land. Clean the Food, and clean the cup, Clean the Wall from smoking Brand. Son! Thy outward Cleanliness Pledge of inward is, when scanned. Clean let Hand and Mouth be kept; Clean thy Garment's every Strand. Where is He?
XXV. I ask all I meet: Where is He? In me incomplete: Where is He? The Tree of my Thought stretch'd on high, Reach'd not to His Seat: Where is He? I ask of the Wanderers by Day: My loved One, most sweet, Where is He? I ask of the Keepers of Vines: My loved One, most sweet, Where is He? I rush through the Woods and the Fields, And ask the Stag fleet: Where is He? At Night when in Darkness He hides, In Fear I repeat: Where is He? I ask of the Sun and the Moon, And Stars in retreat: Where is He? He is not with me. Who has seen The Path of His Feet? Where is He? O Master, if thou hast Him found, O tell, I entreat: Where is He? Love's Slavery
XXVI. Come, and be Love's willing Slave; Thee Love's Slavery will save. Leave the Slavery of the World, Take Love's Service, sweet and brave. The Free, the World makes enslaved; Aye to Slaves, Love Freedom gave. As the Bird freed from the Egg, From the World release I crave. Free me from the Shell that clings; Give me Life as from the Grave. O Love, the Quail in Spring's Free Fields, In Songs of wildest Joy must rave. Psyche in Tears
XXVII. Psyche sits, and lovelier seems; Ah! she of her Lover dreams! Still his Kiss she softly feels; Still his Smile in Fancy gleams. But in Light she fain would see Love's own Self, nor wrong it deems. Trembling her white Hand hath ta'en Lamp to light, as Fancy schemes. There by flickering Flame she scans Beauty which she Heaven esteems. But the fluttering Oil did shake, Shamed to find eclipsed its Beams. Fell one hot Drop on Love's Hand: Oh! the Lover waken'd screams! Love light-pinion'd flies away; Psyche's Wings, Tears drench in Streams. Substitutional
XXVIII. Where the cleansing Water fails, Sand, as Substitute, avails. This, at Need, the Prophet gave; And his Rule to-day prevails. Know ye, O Believers, why? Hear the Truth the Sage unveils.— The Desert oft no Water shows, But never Sand the Traveller fails. From the Desert I will guide Him who me as Leader hails. To where living Waters flow, To the Garden Love empales. Bathe there in Abundance full, Where no hostile Drought assails. Full, that Stream Bath, now enjoy'd, Freedom from Sand Bath entails. So from Formulas made free, Spirit Life o'er all prevails.— Master! Thy high Soul hath seen Truth through all its hiding Veils. God's Throne
XXIX. Unto your Fathers, Allah did make known This which they handed down and made your own,— That all who pray My Face may clearly see, I sit exalted high on Heaven's great Throne. As I in Heaven, so you I place on Earth, That I in my Vicegerents, may be shown. Serve Me then, that the World may serve you too Made to do good—this is your End alone. The World was fitly made to help you well: No Traitors be; let all my Justice own. And glorify the Maker of the World, Until the Rose of Peace hath round you blown. The Lion of God
XXX. Fairest Flower beneath the Skies: Ali Abutaleb's Son! Fairest Flower in Paradise: Ali Abutaleb's Son! God's brave Lion, lamb-like, gentle, Clearest Mirror, ever bright: Pure in Faith, without Disguise: Ali Abutaleb's Son! Next the Prophet is thy Place, All his Splendour flashing round: Thy bright Light too floods our Eyes: Ali Abutaleb's Son! By Renouncing, daring Soul, And by braving Danger too: Thou hast won the Hero's Prize: Ali Abutaleb's Son! Straight thy Strength of Soul and Limb Bore thee to the thickest Fight: Death thy giant Thews despise: Ali Abutaleb's Son! All the Paths we tread to-day, Thou hast traced them, Son of Light! Let on us thy Beams arise: Ali Abutaleb's Son! Leader, Guide, and Champion true, Ever foremost in the Van: Where thou leadest, Honour lies: Ali Abutaleb's Son! Maulana, in Hymn of Praise Thee I laud, JelÁleddÍn! Even as thou praisest wise, Ali Abutaleb's Son! Self-Realisation
XXXI. When I knew myself a Thorn, soft Rose-buds' Swell I sought for then; When I saw myself all bitter, sweet Honey's Cell I sought for then. When I saw myself all Poison, I quaffed Life's Stream as Antidote; When I saw myself Lees turbid, Wine's clear Foam Bell I sought for then. When I saw myself all sour Fruit, I caught the ripening Sunbeams' Glow; When I saw myself droop feebly, the breezy Fell I sought for then. When I saw myself all blinded, the healing Power of Jesus' Hand; When I knew it could the Darkness from my Eyes dispel Love's Touch became my Eyesalve, and all my Soul's dull Blindness fled; And, my Heart of Thirst a-dying, His sweet, pure Well I sought for then. I am Fire that never burneth; and thou, the Wind that makes it burn; O thou Wind, with my Fire playing, aye in me dwell: I sought for then. Thy Hand!
XXXII. Lord, that I thee may find, O stretch to me thy Hand! Close-clasped for ever, kind, O stretch to me thy hand! O'er Earth it gathers dark, and ever deeper here Where dim cross Footpaths wind, O stretch to me thy Hand! The Malice of the World and deadly Hate I know; Where the Danger grows defined, O stretch to me thy Hand! The Pilgrim's Journey still is threatened by the Foe; But to thwart the Ill designed, O stretch to me thy Hand! O come, and let it press upon this burning Heart; Though Tears my glad Eyes blind, O stretch to me thy Hand! Fair Moon, up to thy Palace all shining, I would climb; But lest I halt behind, O stretch to me thy hand! The Priests
XXXIII. Love called to Men from Heaven's bright Gate, 'Who look to God now, soon and late?' ''Tis we who look aloft to God,' To Love replied the Priests elate. Love cried 'How can ye look on high, Who thus your Forms and Words inflate? Ye cannot see where pure Light dwells, So full your Eyes of Greed and Hate. Your dark Deeds dim the Noontide's Ray; Ye shame the Sun while thus ye prate. The Grace that sits enthroned on high, Can ne'er its Claim of Faith abate. Nor can the Just One justly give The Hearing which ye supplicate. O ere ye look to Heaven again, Put off all earthly Pride and State. Your Hearts let Love, not Hatred, rule; Then look to God, and on Him wait!' The Pilgrims
XXXIV. The Pilgrims hail the Kaaba's sacred Ground, When they at last the holy Fane have found. They see a House of Stone, sublime, revered, All girt by steep and barren Cliffs around. They march'd in Hope expecting God to see; For this they toiled, and still their Prayers abound. But when all fervent they the Threshold tread, They hear a voice from out the Temple sound: 'Why pray ye thus, O Fools, to Clay and Stone? Revere the House for which the Pure are bound. The Heart's own House, Shrine of the True, the One: O blest are they whose Striving there is crown'd! Blest those who tread no Desert's weary Way, But rest at Home in peace, like Shems renown'd.' [28] Many Faiths, One Lord
XXXV. Our House has many Doors indeed, But all to One Lord inward lead. And all who reach this Lord must pray, With Forehead on the Ground, and plead. And many in the House born blind, The Lord's commands yet hear and heed. The Lame there too can Service give, They all perform House Tasks at need. Yea, even the Wind with panting Breath, Comes in, the Hearth's low Fire to feed. Each one must do his Part as bid, No one can choose his Share or Deed. Yet many deem them free, nor know The Bond that binds them firm decreed. But if thou humbly bear thy Bond, It holds a Crown of Flowers in Seed. Plight Troth, and Grace will answer Sure, For Love's Vow seals the highest Creed. Servant! To Fellow-servants shew The lowly Mien no Hate will breed. Forbearing be! Thy Over-Lord No Pleasure hath in Pride or Greed. Can one e'er claim to enter bold Who Entrance never would concede? Who dares to haggle with the Master, He drives them from His Doors with Speed. Love Absolute
XXXVI. Love lies not in Book, or Letter, or well reason'd Tome—O no! Love lives not in Cell of Penance, nor in gloomy Home—O no! From the Green of Spring eternal shoots up the Tree of Life; Yet Milkyway and Pleiad reach not Love's Dome—O no! Reason dismounts before her, Desire her Charioteer; So long the Way no slower to Love's Realm would come—O no! While thou art still a Lover, the Longing in thee moves; But when thou art the Loved One, thou need'st not roam—O no! Wrecked Landsmen shriek in Terror, though saving spars float round; The Pilot steeped in rapture, recks not Death's Foam—O no! JelÁleddÍn, thy soul in Ocean melts in joy: Thyself all Consecration, no Novice far from Home—O no! Renunciation
XXXVII. Since he to me his loving Heart has shown, I give my Life to him, as All his own. The Body's House becomes his Temple now, Until the Soul herself to Heav'n hath flown. The Earthly Life is Offering far too small; Then let the Eternal, silent All atone. JelÁleddÍn in self-negation found The Rose of Life divinely fair, full blown. All Fulness
XXXVIII. Simurg. Also the name of the Phoenix (Von Hammer), but according to Steingass, the Griffin. The First and Last
XLII. Thou art of all Man's Joys the Spring; Life's honey'd Sweetness thou dost bring. My gather'd Pearls, from Bosom full, Before thy Feet my glad Hands fling. The Souls love-moved, are circling on, Like Streams to their great Ocean King. Thou art the Sun of all Men's Thoughts; Thy Kisses are the Flowers of Spring. The Dawn is pale from yearning Love; The Moon in Tears is sorrowing. Thou art the Rose; and deep for thee, In Sighs, the Nightingales still sing. O can my Love me so despise, That he my Heart with Pain can wring? O Wine of Life, all fragrant, pour, And soothe the Pain of Death's last Sting! Mystic Love Dance
XLIII. On with the Dance! We fly upon the Wings of Love; We glow in all the Joys and scorn the Stings of Love. I heard Love joyous calling from out the Realm of Death; Lo! God hath drown'd dark Death now in living Springs of Love. The Power of Life that loosen'd my Band when I was born, That Hour my Mother gave me the Leading Strings of Love. I asked Love's Self, fond nursing: How shall I Love escape? She said: There is no Outlet from encircling Rings of Love. Love's magic Mirror radiates a Thousand Worlds most fair; And wondering Eyes look dazzled on all it brings of Love. Thy Body's gold surrender to Love's refining Flames, The Gold is Dross till boiling, all pure, it sings of Love. I tell thee why the Ocean aye tosses glittering Spray: It dances and it glances with Gems, Playthings of Love. I tell thee how was Mankind a-formed from Earthy Dust: God in the Dust inbreathÈd sweet Whisperings of Love. I tell thee why the Heavens for ever circle round: God's Throne set in the Centre, draws All on Wings of Love. I tell thee why the Zephyr at Morn so softly blows: To flutter every Leaflet with the Kiss it flings of Love. I tell thee why Night hideth in Veil so dark her Face: She makes the World a bridal Tent, and darkling sings of Love. I can divine all Riddles Creation puts to me, For to her Riddles Ever, Man the Answer brings of Love. Dream Fear
XLIV. O Love, the Realm of Dreams Is thine; they come, unsought: With fiery Weapons, throng'd, As if whole Armies fought. The Standard of thy Rule, Hot Hearts bear in the Van; It flames till Worlds, o'ercome, Beneath thy Sway are brought. Thou, ever and again, Sendst out a Phantom Form; Till cower weak, trembling Souls, Like Children terror-wrought. But when a Soul resigns, Thou, Victor, marchest in: A Conqueror—lovelier far Than ever Soul had thought. The Cry of Love
XLV. My Soul sends up to Heaven each Night the Cry of Love! God's starry Beauty draws with Might the Cry of Love! Hu! Ya! Bright Sun and Moon each Morn dance in my Heart at Dawn; And waking me in Daylight, excite the Cry of Love! On every Meadow glancing, I see God's Sunbeams play; And all Creation's Wonders incite the Cry of Love! The Turtledove embowered, awakened by my Call, Returns to me in coo'd Delight, the Cry of Love! Gu! Gu! The Crag on whose bare Forehead thy Light in Glory falls, Resounds in Echoes clear, aright the Cry of Love! Men! Hu! For all the Flowers sweet blowing in timid Silence there, For deaf Worms, too, I offer God's Rite, the Cry of Love! The Ocean's speechless Billows sound ever loud thy Praise; And all in rolling Anthems recite the Cry of Love! To thee for every Rosebud and every Dewdrop fair, And every Gem, deep hidden, I plight the Cry of Love! Hu! Ya! I, All in All becoming, now clear see God in All; And up for Union yearning, takes Flight the Cry of Love! Hu! Hu! Night Thought
XLVI. Sleep not, O Thought, my Guest—the livelong Night! I bring thee Friendship's best—the livelong Night! Thou, like an Angel's Breath, from Heaven hast come, To heal me while I rest—the livelong Night! Banish dull Slumber, let Heaven's Mystery sing, From out his secret Nest—the livelong Night! Shine clear, ye circling Stars, that in your Rays, The Soul its Vision test—the livelong Night! Ye Diamonds, sparkling in your dark Retreats, Rival the starry West—the livelong Night! Soar up, O Eagle, Sunwards—higher, higher! Be still thy Flight up pressed—the livelong Night! Thank God, the World now sleeps; alone are God And I, all God-possess'd—the livelong Night! The Night is calm and deep, and Heaven's own Lyre, Sounds soft, as Star-caress'd—the livelong Night! War's Turmoil whirling through the starry Streets, New spheral Choirs attest—the livelong Night! With Lion, Bull, and Ram, all warlike gleam Orion's Sword and Crest—the livelong Night! Scorpion and Dragon seize the Crown, while weeps The Virgin sore opprest—the livelong Night! My Tongue sinks dumb with rapture, drunk with Love; Now, Thought, brood, silent, blest—the livelong Night! Up out of Night
XLVII. O for Wings to Heaven to soar— Up out of Night! A Heart to Struggle to Light's Shore— Up out of Night! Lo! How God's Messengers of Love, In dancing Dawn: In Life and Light new Worlds restore, Up out of Night! See in the West how Daylight there, Slow Sinking down: Looks back, with Love all blushing sore, Up out of Night! And now in East where she again, Doth rise all fair; Blooms Rose Dawn, brightening as of yore, Up out of Night! Time's Memories clear and Life's bright Hopes Together twine: Hands loving stretch to us once more, Up out of Night! The Eternal Stars all sparkling ope Their radiant Eyes; And flash anew deep Wisdom's Lore, Up out of Night! And ere Heavens full-blown Rose shall fade, The endless Day Shall rise in Bliss at thy Heart's Core, Up out of Night! O Nightingale that woos for aye The Heavenly Rose: Now, now thy deepest Love Notes pour, Up out of Night! All One
XLVIII. I looked around, and saw in all Heaven's Spaces: One! In Ocean's rippling Waves and billowy Races: One! I looked into the Heart, and saw a Sea, wide Worlds All full of Dreams, and in all Dreaming Faces: One! Thou art the First, the Last, the Outer, Inner, Whole: Thy Light breaks through in all Earth's Hues and Graces: One! Thou seest All from East to furthest Bound of West, And lo! each Leaf and Flower and Tree Crown traces: One! Four wild and restive Steeds draw on the World's vast Car; Thou bridlest them, and rul'st in all their Paces: One! Air, Fire, Earth, Water melt to One in Fear of thee; Nor struggle wild, but show in close Embraces: One! The Hearts of all that live in Earth and Heav'n above, Beat Praise to thee; nor fails in all their Places—One. O Wake in Me
XLIX. When all the World has gone to rest, O Wake in Me! When tired Eyes close by Sleep opprest, O Wake in Me! When Eyes in Heaven all sleepless watch with Starry gaze, Make my blind Orbs thy Home as Guest, O Wake in Me! When all my outer Gates of Sense, are shut and bar'd; Lest, lone, my Soul be fear-possest, O Wake in Me! That no grim Power of Darkness through the Gloom around, My deeper Peace and Calm molest, O Wake in Me! From Eden's Garden still soft blown, That fragrant Air The healing Tree of Life attest, O Wake in Me! That once, at least in Dream, Life's Good be here attained, The Heart no more by pain distrest, O Wake in Me! In the moist Midnight dank and drear, where Shadows creep, Lest Passions vile my Heart infest, O Wake in Me! And when Life's Night is gone, and Love's new dawning Smile Woos me for ever to thy Breast, O Wake in Me! JelÁleddÍn
L. Highest Love, where thou art thronÈd, here before Thy Throne unseen, O let me pour my Melodies, my sweetest, highest yet, I ween. If well-pleasing they ascending reach Thine ear in tones of power, All their work of soul-subduing comes from Thy own soul serene. Let them hymn and let them praise thee: let them cry and supplicate: Where is he to Earth descended, Star from out thy Glory's Sheen? He his Head with thy soft Roses wreathed, and struck the charmÈd String, Till drunk with Love he passed sweet playing to the Light no cloud can screen. He beclad in Garments waving here on broken Pillar leaned, Pouring Songs by which upwafted he hath left this lower Scene. Hath he now flown to Thy Bosom? Tell me, Love, who here below Didst his Soul so sweetly cherish, where still cherished hath he been?— Where the Peoples sink their Banners, where Pride lays her Signs aside, All their Caste Distinctions blending, where eternal Peace is Queen. There among the Saints, the purest, of all Zones, is he now found: Hail! All hail his Memory holy: Maulana JelÁl-ed-DÍn!
|
  |
