XXXIII: Whilom, indeed, I was always wise; and wise…

Whilom, indeed, I was always wise; and wise, even yet, am I!
I was ever mad and beside myself--mad, even yet, am I!

There is association, not separation: from Him, disjunction is unreal:
With Him, with whom I was a dweller, a dweller, even yet, am I!

Since I have entered into the world, I have come to know myself:
I was a treasury of mysteries; and of such, a treasury, even yet, am I!

In the world, the mention of my goodness is made, far and near:
Amongst the folks I was a fiction; and a fiction, even yet, am I!

When the veil of His face was drawn aside, unto me a torch appeared;
At that moment I was a moth thereon--a moth, even yet, am I!

The arrows of His eyelashes, they are the misfortune of my life:
I was a target for them an age; and their target, even yet, am I!

When He made me a friend of Himself, He turned me from all others away:
I then was a stranger unto the world; and a stranger, even yet, am I!

That ocean which is circumambient, boundless, unfathomable,
Of that ocean I was the pearl; and its pearl, even yet, am I!

In the same manner, with mine own beloved, without agent or delegate,
As I, Khushhal, used in amity to be, in amity, even yet, am I!