With a glance I cure
the pain of love
and, in the crucible of purity, turn
the heart’s copper to gold.
Faced with the Friend’s coquettish rejection,
I gave up everything to prove my neediness;
I abandoned all claims
before the sanctuary of His fidelity.
I have gained admittance
to the tavern of ruin,
so why should I make myself the prisoner
of some egotistic mullah?
The melody of the divine covenant
plays in my heart,
so why should I pay attention
to the mullah’s claims?
From the moment the master
of the fire worshipers became my guide,
I have followed him faithfully
in the ways and manners of love.
You have been stuck for a lifetime
at the threshold of loving-kindness —
leave behind your self now and join us
in pure friendship.
The angels led Nurbakhsh
to the tavern, saying,
“It is to please God that we
perform this service.”