THE JOURNEY TO THE BELOVED

O lovers, O lovers, it is time to abandon the world:

The drum of departure reaches my spiritual ear from heaven.

Behold, the driver has risen and made ready his files of camels,

And begged us to acquit him of blame: why, O travellers, are you

asleep?

These sounds before and behind are the din of departure and of the

camel-bells;

With each moment a soul and spirit is setting off into the Void.

From these inverted candles, from these blue awnings

There has come forth a wondrous people, that the mysteries may be

revealed.

A heavy slumber fell upon thee from the circling spheres:

Alas, for this life so light, beware of this slumber so heavy!

O soul, seek the Beloved, O friend, seek the Friend,

O watchman, be wakeful: it behoves not a watchman to sleep.

The Persian Mystics: Jalálu'd-dín Rúmí · 第 46 / 91 题