Eternal Secret 

- 4 -

upbearer, this prosperous tavern flourishes with your spirit
You are the beauty of the goblet, you are the verdance of the tavern.

You are the invigoration of every eye, in every heart you dwell
To you is the consecration of every soul, to you each head is given.

Your lovers are strangers to this world, even strangers to religion,
Inebriated madmen, drunk of your affection.

Kind cupbearer, pour all the tavern's spirits into my cup
This drunkard has thirsted for your spirit for ages.

He is indifferent to you, who is infatuated with everyone
The one you choose, to you belongs his fascination.

I too drank when I was filled by my Friend
Now my fortune's turned, now the cupbearer never returns.

Every heart, infidel or believer, adores you
You are the desire of the Ka'aba, the splendor of the temple.

I am a stone in Khawaja's threshold, dust on Usman's doorsill
My religion is love, my cult licentiousness.

What could I possibly give you to honor you
This impoverished man has nothing but a pining heart.

I am Khadim,
I am servant of Khawaja, I am slave of Usman,
A faqir hides within my princely countenance.

Naghma-e-Dard 108


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