Ode XIV

He said: ‘Who is at the door?’ Said I: ‘Thy humble slave.’
He said: ‘What business have you?’ Said I: ‘Lord, to greet thee.’
He said: ‘How long will you push?’ Said I: ‘Till thou call.’
He said: ‘How long will you glow?’ Said I: ‘Till resurrection.’
I laid claims to love, I took oaths
That for love I had lost sovereignty and power.
He said: ‘A judge demands witness as regards a claim.’
Said I: ‘Tears are my witness, paleness of face my evidence.’
He said: ‘The witness is not valid; your eye is corrupt.’
Said I: ‘By the majesty of thy justice they are just and clear of sin.’
He said: ‘What do you intend?’ Said I: ‘Constancy and friendship.’
He said: ‘What do you want of me?’ Said I: ‘Thy universal grace.’
He said: ‘Who was your companion?’ Said I: ‘Thought of thee, O King.’
He said: ‘Who called you here?’ Said I: ‘The odour of thy cup.’
He said: ‘Where is it pleasantest?’ Said I: ‘The Emperor’s palace.’
He said: ‘What saw you there?’ Said I: ‘A hundred miracles.’
He said: ‘Why is it desolate?’ Said I: ‘From fear of the brigand.’
He said: ‘Who is the brigand?’ Said I: ‘This blame.’
He said: ‘Where is it safe?’ Said I: ‘In abstinence and piety.’
He said: ‘What is abstinence?’ Said I: ‘The path of salvation.’
He said: ‘Where is calamity?’ Said I: ‘In the neighbourhood of thy love.’
He said: ‘How fare you there?’ Said I: ‘In steadfastness.’
I gave you a long trial, but it availed me nothing;
Repentance lights on him who tests one tested already.
Peace! if I should utter forth his mystic sayings,
You would go beside yourself, neither door nor roof would restrain you.