Let me then, I say, make complaint Of the severity of that Fickle Fair One. I cry, and my cries sound sweet in His ear; He requires from the two worlds cries and groans. How shall I not wail under His chastening hand? How shall I not be in the number of those bewitched by Him? How shall I be other than night without His day? Without the vision of His face that illumes the day? His bitters are very sweets to my soul, I am enamoured of my own grief and pain, For it makes me well-pleasing to my peerless King I use the dust of my grief as salve for my eyes, That my eyes, like seas, may team with pearls. THE DIVINE ABSORPTION Do me justice, O Thou who art the glory of the just, Who art the throne, and I the lintel of Thy door! But, in sober truth, where are throne and door-way? Where are "We" and "I"? There where our Beloved is! O Thou, who art exempt from "Us" and "Me," Who pervadest the spirits of all men and women; When man and woman become one, Thou art that One! When their union is dissolved, lo! Thou abidest! Thou hast made these "Us" and "Me" for this purpose, To wit, to play chess with them by Thyself. When Thou shalt become one entity with "Us" and "You," Then wilt Thou show true affection for these lovers. When these "We" and "Ye" shall all become One Soul, Then they will be lost and absorbed in the "Beloved." LOVE MORE THAN SORROW AND JOY Come then, O Lord! Who art exalted above description and explanation! Is it possible for the bodily eye to behold Thee? Can mind of man conceive Thy frowns and Thy smiles? Are hearts, when bewitched by Thy smiles and frowns, In a fit state to see the vision of Thyself? When our hearts are bewitched by Thy smiles and frowns, Can we gain Life from these two alternating states? The fertile garden of Love, as it is boundless, Contains other fruits besides joy and sorrow. The true lover is exalted above these two states, He is fresh and green independently of autumn or spring! Pay tithe on Thy beauty, O Beauteous One! Tell forth the tale of the Beloved, every whit! "THE HEART OF THE HARPER" The heart of the harper was emancipated. Like a soul he was freed from weeping and rejoicing, His old life died, and he was regenerated. Amazement fell upon him at that moment, For he was exalted above earth and heaven, An uplifting of the heart surpassing all uplifting. I cannot describe it; if you can, say on! Ecstasy and words beyond all ecstatic words;-- Immersion in the glory of the Lord of glory! Immersion wherefrom was no extrication,-- As it were identification with the Very Ocean! "WHEN NIGHT RETURNS"