Poem XLIII

1The knowledge has newly come: perchance you have no knowledge.The envious heart is bleeding: perchance you have no heart.

2The moon has revealed her face and opened her radiant wings:Borrow a soul and eyes from some one, if you have them not.

3Night and day comes a winged arrow from the hidden bow.Yield up your sweet life; what can you do? you have no shield.

4Has not the copper of your existence been changed, like Moses, to gold by his alchemy?What matter tho’ you have no gold in a sack, like Qārūn?

5Within you is an Egypt, and you are its garden of sugar-canes;What matter tho’ you have no supply of sugar from without?

6You are become a slave to form, like idol-worshippers;You resemble Joseph and yet you gaze not on yourself.

7By God, when you behold your own beauty in the mirror,You will be the idol of yourself, you will not pass over to any one.

8O Reason, art not thou unjust in calling him moon-like?Wherefore dost thou call him moon? perchance thou hast no sight.

9Your head is like a lamp containing six wicks:How should all the six be alight unless you have that spark?