I. The Prince and the Handmaid.
Project Gutenberg EPUB edition
Jalal al-Din Rumi, Maulana and Redhouse, James W. (James William), Sir
However well we strive love to portray,
We blush thereat, when love our hearts doth sway.
Words make most matters plain and manifest;
But love unspoken speaks whole volumes best.
When pen took up from zeal the writing trade,
In love’s description, oh! such blots it made!
Our wits in love’s affairs stand sore perplexed;
Love only can elucidate love’s text.
The sun alone can well explain the sun.
Wilt see’t expounded? Turn to him alone.85
A shade, ’tis true, of him gives some small hint;
The shining sun surpasses all comment.
A shade, like evening chitchat, sends to sleep,
From sun’s effulgence does full knowledge leap.
That day-orb, still, each eve sets, here below;
The soul-sun, God, shines in eternal glow.
’Mong things extern that orb has not a peer;
But mock suns we can make, our nights to cheer.
On heart unless the soul-sun cast a ray,
No thought, no picture can its sheen portray.90
Can mind His glorious essence comprehend?
His presence, then, to image who’ll pretend?
Of poet’s verse when God’s the holy theme,
Its minished head the sun may hide, ’twould seem.
At mention of His name each breast must find,
A duty ’tis His grace to call to mind.
The breath of life He to this body gave,
With Him to reunite, should mercy save.
These years I’ve conversed with Him. Life serene!
One repetition more! O blissful scene!95
How pleasant heaven and earth their smiling hold!
He offers soul, mind, eye, a hundredfold!
Beyond my strength, O try me not these days!
My reason ’d fail to falter forth Thy praise.
The song of man, when uninspired by Thee,
Mere fulsome, flattering trash is seen to be.
Bid me describe, whose every nerve is seared,
A lover’s woe, whom mistress never cheered.
His lonesomeness, the anguish of his breast,
Not here I’ll paint; elsewhere it may be best.100