[Sunlight] The need for more wine -- Ghazal 797

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From the day the drunkards first felt the need
for more wine, the shaykh has held the cup of the spirit in his
hands.
Like dustmotes, we dance before him each
morning-such is the custom of sun-worshipers.
Until Eternity-without-end his sun's face will
display dawn after dawn, transmuting hearts of stone into
precious rubies.
Oh Saliih al-Di-n, oh "Rectitude of the
Religion" and the heart, thou art outside of the six directions --
otherwise, how hast thou made them all so luminous?
How could he who is thy love's slave be cold in
love for God? For the rectitude of the religion and the heart is
a burning fire!
If you need a heart, seek the pleasure of his
heart! But how should the heavy-spirited man seek his heart?
Oh, many a faith has become unbelief without
him! Oh, many an unbelief has become faith through his
blessing!
You see that an ash heap is black-faced and
black-hearted -- so whatever it says about that mine of gems is
slander!
Shams-i Tabrizi! Thou art the king of all men
of beautiful spirits! Perhaps Joseph of Canaan can rival thee in
beauty.

-- Ghazal 797
Translation by William C. Chittick
"The Sufi Path of Love"
SUNY Press, Albany, 1983

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[Sunlight] The need for more wine -- Ghazal 797