Robert Bridges, ed. (1844–1930). The Spirit of Man: An Anthology. 1916. | | | | Sufi poem |
Jellaludin (1207–1273) |
| | | HE 1 asked: Who standeth at my door? I said: Thy indigent slave. | |
| He asked: What dost thou here? I said: I am come to greet Thee, O my Lord. | |
| He asked: How long wilt thou persist? I said: Until Thou call me in. | |
| He asked: How long wilt thou desire it? I said: Till the last day of time, O Lord. | |
| I laid claim to his Love; I took solemn oath that for love of Him I had renounc’t wealth and power. | 5 |
| He asked: Doth not a judge demand a witness to prove a claim? | |
| I said: Tears are my witnesses, and my pale face the evidence. | |
| He asked: Is thy witness trustworthy, when thine eyes are wayward? | |
| I said: I swear by thy great Justice, they are pure and free from sin. | |
| He asked: What desirest thou of me? I said: Thy Constancy and Friendship … | 10 |
| He asked: Who was thy Comrade? I said: The thought of Thee, O King. | |
| He asked: Who call’d thee hither? I said: The rumour of thy Feast … | |
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| O ask ye no more of me. Were I to tell you more words of his, | |
| Ye would burst your bonds; no roof nor door could restrain you. | |
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