"My back is broken by the conflict of my thoughts; O Beloved One, come and stroke my head in mercy! The palm of Thy hand on my head gives me rest, Thy hand is a sign of Thy bounteous providence. Remove not Thy shadow from my head, I am afflicted, afflicted, afflicted! Sleep has deserted my eyes Through my longing for Thee, O Envy of cypresses! * * * * * * * *¨* * * * * * * O take my life, Thou art the Source of Life! For apart from Thee I am wearied of my life. I am a lover well versed in lovers' madness, I am weary of learning and sense." SORROW TURNED TO JOY "He who extracts the rose from the thorn Can also turn this winter into spring. He who exalts the heads of the cypresses Is able also out of sadness to bring joy." THE GIFTS OF THE BELOVED Where will you find one more liberal than God? He buys the worthless rubbish which is your wealth, He pays you the Light that illumines your heart. He accepts these frozen and lifeless bodies of yours, And gives you a Kingdom beyond what you dream of, He takes a few drops of your tears, And gives you the Divine Fount sweeter than sugar. He takes your sighs fraught with grief and sadness, And for each sigh gives rank in heaven as interest. In return for the sigh-wind that raised tear-clouds, God gave Abraham the title of "Father of the Faithful." "THOU ART HIDDEN FROM US" Thou art hidden from us, though the heavens are filled With Thy Light, which is brighter than sun and moon! Thou art hidden, yet revealest our hidden secrets Thou art the Source that causes our rivers to flow. Thou art hidden in Thy essence, but seen by Thy bounties. Thou art like the water, and we like the mill-stone. Thou art like the wind, and we like the dust; The wind is unseen, but the dust is seen by all. Thou art the Spring, and we the sweet green garden; Spring is not seen, though its gifts are seen. Thou art as the Soul, we as hand and foot; Soul instructs hand and foot to hold and take. Thou art as Reason, we like the tongue; 'Tis reason that teaches the tongue to speak. Thou art as Joy, and we are laughing; The laughter is the consequence of the joy. Our every motion every moment testifies, For it proves the presence of the Everlasting God. "EXERT YOURSELVES" "'Trust in God, yet tie the camel's leg.' Hear the adage, 'The worker is the friend of God;' Through trust in Providence neglect not to use means. Go, O Fatalists, practise trust with self-exertion, Exert yourself to attain your objects, bit by bit. In order to succeed, strive and exert yourselves; If you strive not for your objects, ye are fools." THE WISDOM OF THE WEAK