1
O say, to what end you to others
would a servant be?
Of Gen'rous one hold stirrup, Lord
of worlds and Destiny?
Who loves Allah alone, but he
supremely happy is!
2
A reed doth murmur with distress
when cut , so even I
Cry suddenly for loved-one in
a fit of wretchedness;-
O leech, brand not my arm, sickness
and pain are in the heart!
3
My breath no longer is my own-
ruled now by other power-
How is my breast assailed by woe
that has a mountain grown?
My love, in dream Himself had shown,
brought joy, and then had gone!
4
When longing for you in despair,
Loved-one if once you came-
My eye lashes upon your feet
I'd lay in humblest prayer
I'd for your carpet spread my hair
and be your slave for aye!
5
Beloved, all from thee is good!
but still, 't was not thy way,
To take me mad with love and then
depart with changing mood;
And let me die in solitude,
e'en though you loved me not!
II
6
Today again mine eyes are drenched,
remembering the loved one-
The drops of tear ne'er cease to flow,
till all my being,s blenched;
Longing for loved-one is not quenched
by looking at His works!
7
Today they called, with eyes so kind;
and killed me with their eyes...
My flesh they distributed and
left skeleton behind-
Did urge to search for truth and practice
patience in the mind;
They killed her whom they dead did find
aft'r wounding with smiles!
8
Sometimes their doors with latches tied,
On other days wide open are;
Some days I cannot enter, some
they call me with them to abide-
Sometimes I for their voices long;
some days their secrets they confide;
Such are my masters glorified,
beloved masters mine!
9
O you, my dear beloved Sir,
thy slave I wholly am;
With folded hands I ever serve,
thy presence I desire;
Not for a minute from your door
O sir, I would retire,
I pray; Beloved do not tire-
Thy kind looks not withdraw!
10
When with infinite grace, Beloved
Doth walk upon the ground;
With "Bismillah" earth on His path
prints kisses all around-
The 'houris' by His beauty struck
stand with submission bound-
I swear, that never I have found
such Beauty any where!
11
As smith a link with link doth join
to make it ever last,
So Loved-one fixed me up, and fast
He holds me ever more!
III
12
The worlds os passing soon or late,
one breath it is, not long;
And with their feet they'll bury you
a tomb will be your fate;
The measuring rod and spade, do wait
as last things on this earth.-
13
Friendship by words they do profess;
an easy thing to do;
The proof will come when need and stress
the real friends will reveal.
14
Changed Adam's children now do treat
sincerity as trifle;
Who on this earth a human being's
flesh would like to cat?
O friend in this world nothing will
remain but perfume sweet,
One single-minded you may meet
all else is outward show!
15
The heart loves only One and more
it never doth admit;
Give your heart to that One, even
If hundreds sue for it;
Ridiculous are those that flit
for friends from door to door!
16
My loved ones, all my blemishes...
weaknesses came to know;
They never did reproach me...nay,
nor did they anger show-
Loved-ones a covering did bestow
o'er all my shortcoming!
17
The Generous One, presence of loved ones
kindly granted me-
Their thoughts were to return and
re-establish harmony;
Their way is: though a breech there be
they never will forsake.
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