Poem XIV

1He said: ‘Who is at the door?’ Said I: ‘Thy humble slave.’He said: ‘What business have you?’ Said I: ‘Lord, to greet thee.’

2He said: ‘How long will you push?’ Said I: ‘Till thou call.’He said: ‘How long will you glow?’ Said I: ‘Till resurrection.’

3I laid claim to love, I took oathsThat for love I had lost sovereignty and power.

4He said: ‘A judge demands witness as regards a claim.’Said I: ‘Tears are my witness, paleness of face my evidence.’

5He said: ‘The witness is not valid; your eye is corrupt.’Said I: ‘By the majesty of thy justice they are just and clear of sin.’

6He said: ‘What do you intend?’ Said I: ‘Constancy and friendship.’He said: ‘What do you want of me?’ Said I: ‘Thy universal grace.’

7He said: ‘Who was your companion?’ Said I: ‘Thought of thee, O King.’He said: ‘Who called you here?’ Said I: ‘The odour of thy cup.’

8He said: ‘Where is it pleasantest?’ Said I: ‘The Emperor’s palace.’He said: ‘What saw you there?’ Said I: ‘A hundred miracles.’

9He said: ‘Why is it desolate?’ Said I: ‘From fear of the brigand.’He said: ‘Who is the brigand?’ Said I: ‘This blame.’

10He said: ‘Where is it safe?’ Said I: ‘In abstinence and piety.’He said: ‘What is abstinence?’ Said I: ‘The path of salvation.’

11He said: ‘Where is calamity?’ Said I: ‘In the neighbourhood of thy love.’He said: ‘How fare you there?’ Said I: ‘In steadfastness.’