And thus as veil her night before her day hung. _Sheykhī_ FROM KHUSREV AND SHĪRĪN When Ferhād bound to fair Shīrīn his heart’s core, From out his breast Love many a bitter wail tore. On tablet of his life graved, shown was Shīrīn; Of all else emptied, filled alone with Shīrīn. As loathed he the companionship of mankind, In wild beasts ’midst the hills did he his friends find. His guide was Pain; his boon companion, Grief’s throe; His comrade, Sorrow; and his closest friend, Woe. Thus wand’ring on, he knew not day from dark night; For many days he onward strayed in sad plight. Although before his face a wall of stone rise, Until he strikes against it, blind his two eyes. Through yearning for his love he from the world fled; From out his soul into his body Death sped. Because he knew that when the earthly frame goes, Eternal, Everlasting Being love shows, He fervent longed to be from fleshly bonds free, That then his life in very truth might Life see. In sooth, till dies the body, Life is ne’er found, Nor with the love of life the Loved One e’er found. _Sheykhī._ YAZIJI-OGLU THE CREATION OF PARADISE Hither come, O seeker after Truth! if joy thou wouldest share, Enter on the Mystic Pathway, follow it, then joy thou’lt share. Hearken now what God (exalted high his name!) from naught hath formed. Eden’s bower he hath created; Light, its lamp, he did prepare; Loftiest its sites, and best and fairest are its blest abodes; Midst of each a hall of pearls--not ivory nor teak-wood rare. Each pavilion he from seventy ruddy rubies raised aloft-- Dwellings these in which the dwellers sit secure from fear or care. Round within each courtyard seventy splendid houses he hath ranged, Formed of emeralds green--houses these no fault of form that bear. There, within each house, are seventy pearl and gem-incrusted thrones; He upon each throne hath stretched out seventy couches broidered fair; Sits on every couch a maiden of the bourne of loveliness: Moons their foreheads, days their faces, each a jewelled crown doth wear; Wine their rubies, soft their eyes, their eyebrows troublous, causing woe: All-enchanting, Paradise pays tribute to their witching air. Sudden did they see the faces of those damsels dark of eye, Blinded sun and moon were, and Life’s Stream grew bitter then and there. Thou wouldst deem that each was formed of rubies, corals, and of pearls; Question there is none, for God thus in the Qur’ān doth declare. Tables seventy, fraught with bounties, he in every house hath placed, And on every tray hath spread out seventy sorts of varied fare. * * * * *