XLII: Notwithstanding thou art unto me a sovereign, and…

Notwithstanding thou art unto me a sovereign, and I a beggar;
Still turn not from me thy face, for I am distracted and distressed.

I, who bear the brand of thy thraldom and enslavement,
Do not consider any one equal with myself; for I am a king.

The door of my heart I have closed unto all extraneous things--
Associating with the world, I am filled with anxiety for thee.

If any one is wretched about thee, I am that wretched being:
If any one is the dust of the sole of thy foot, that dust am I.

Sometimes, I write upon paper the words of thy mystery--
At others, through grief for thee, I tell, unto my pen, my state.

The admirers of thy pretty face, are beyond computation;
But amongst the whole of them, I am without compare.

Exclude me not from being accounted among the dogs at thy door,
Although I may be debarred from all benefits, and favours beside.

Shouldst thou love and kindness bestow, of them I am unworthy--
If thou treat me with harshness and severity, I merit them.

Unto Khushhal, thou wast saying, "Of what use art thou?"
If I am of use, or if I am of no use; still, still I am thine!