But the wave, so long as it remains a wave in the sea’s bosom, Makes itself a rider on the sea’s back. Light has been a beggar since the eye first rolled 245 And moved to and fro in search of beauty; But forasmuch as the grass found a means of growth in its self, Its aspiration clove the breast of the garden. The candle too concatenated itself And built itself out of atoms; 250 Then it made a practice of melting itself away and fled from its self Until at last it trickled down from its own eye, like tears. If the bezel had been more self-secure by nature, It would not have suffered wounds, But since it derives its value from the superscription, 255 Its shoulder is galled by the burden of another’s name. Because the earth is firmly based on self-existence, The captive moon goes round it perpetually. The being of the sun is stronger than that of the earth: Therefore is the earth bewitched by the sun’s eye. 260 The glory of the plane fixes our gaze, The mountains are enriched by its majesty: Its raiment is woven of fire, Its origin is one self-assertive seed. When Life gathers strength from the Self, 265 The river of Life expands into an ocean. FOOTNOTES: [32] Shírín was loved by the Persian emperor Khusrau Parwíz. Farhád fell in love with her and cast himself down a precipice on hearing a false rumour of her death. [33] Abraham is said to have been cast on a burning pile by order of Nimrod and miraculously preserved from harm. II _Showing that the life of the Self comes from forming desires and bringing them to birth._