Poem XLI

1I saw my Beloved wandering about the house:He had taken up a rebeck and was playing a tune.

2With a touch like fire he was playing a sweet melody,Drunken and distraught and bewitching from the night’s carouse.

3He was invoking the cup-bearer in the mode of ‘Irāq:Wine was his object, the cup-bearer was only an excuse.

4The beauteous cup-bearer, pitcher in hand,Stepped forth from a recess and placed it in the middle.

5He filled the first cup with that sparkling wine—Didst thou ever see water set on fire?

6For the sake of those in love he passed it from hand to hand,Then bowed and kissed the lintel.

7My Beloved received it from him, and quaffed the wine:Instantly o’er his face and head ran flashes of flame.

8Meanwhile he was regarding his own beauty and saying to the evil eye,‘There has not been nor will be in this age another like me.

9I am the Divine Sun of the world, I am the Beloved of lovers,Soul and spirit are continually moving before me.’